EDC Plans P70-B Leyte Geothermal Rebuild to Add 400 MW
Energy Development Corp. seeks approval to replace an aging 125 MW plant in Kananga with a facility capable of producing up to 400 MW by 2030.
Key points
- EDC proposes a 70-billion-peso project to replace a 125 MW plant with a facility producing up to 400 MW in Leyte.
- The company has applied to the Department of Energy to decommission the aging Upper Mahiao unit in Kananga.
- Full commercial operation is targeted for 2030-2031, with host communities earning 0.03 pesos in royalties per kilowatt-hour.
Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is evaluating a 70-billion-peso redevelopment of its geothermal assets in Leyte, aiming to boost provincial capacity by up to 400 megawatts. The project involves replacing the decommissioning Upper Mahiao plant in Kananga with a new facility that utilizes improved technology to generate more power from the same resource.
Company executives state that the new plant could produce between 200 and 400 MW while consuming less steam than the current infrastructure. EDC Vice Chairman Francis Giles Puno noted that the primary driver is the deteriorating condition of the 125 MW legacy unit, which is being removed from service to make way for this modernization.
Regulatory Path and Timeline
EDC President Jerome H. Cainglet confirmed that the company has filed a decommissioning application with the Department of Energy for the aging facility. The project remains in the study phase, with the company coordinating with government bodies to secure the necessary approvals to proceed with construction.
According to the reported schedule, EDC hopes to obtain final approval next year. If the timeline holds, the new facility is targeted for completion and full commercial operation between 2030 and 2031, ensuring a transition period where existing plants continue to support the grid.
Operational Capacity and Impact
The proposed upgrade would leverage the existing geothermal resource at Upper Mahiao to significantly increase output. By employing more efficient technology, the new plant is designed to maximize electricity generation while minimizing steam consumption, addressing the limitations of the current infrastructure.
EDC currently operates four geothermal facilities in Leyte, including Managdong, Malitbog, and Tongonan. The company indicated that this redevelopment could rank among the largest geothermal projects globally, substantially expanding the province’s renewable energy contribution.
Local Revenue and Royalties
Host communities in Ormoc City and Kananga are expected to see increased financial benefits from the expansion. Local government units receive a royalty of 0.03 pesos for every kilowatt-hour of electricity generated from geothermal resources within their jurisdiction.
As generation capacity rises, these royalty payments will scale accordingly, providing additional revenue for local development. The information was reported by leytesamardailynews.com, highlighting the direct link between EDC’s operational expansion and local economic gains.
