Additional power for ARMM to come from wastes

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—A Maguindanao-based company has embarked on a massive energy project that could leave proponents of coal-fired power plants red-faced as it seeks to build a commercial-sized generator using organic discards.

The biomass-fired generator that local company Lamsan Trading Inc. is building in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao province, is designed to produce 15 megawatts of electricity, according to Ishak Mastura, chair of the board of investments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Mastura said the biomass power generator, costing P921-million, was designed to initially power up Lamsan’s corn starch plant in Barangay Crossing Simuay in the town but because it was expected to produce more power than was needed by the plant, proponents were now thinking of selling the excess electricity to commercial power suppliers.

“It is expected to reduce the commercial power consumption of its corn starch operations. This will also augment the power reserves of the National Power Corp. and the Mindanao grid, since Lamsan Power Corp. will be selling 11.5 MW to these power companies,” he said in an e-mail statement.

Green fuel

Mastura said that contrary to other power plants that use fossil fuels, the Lamsan power plant would be fed rice hulls, coconut husks, corn cobs and other agricultural wastes generated by its corn starch plant.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said the power project came as good news, since it would help ease the power shortage being experienced in some areas in Mindanao.

“The power plant is a very important support facility that will encourage more businesses to flourish in the region,” he said, adding that it is also pro-environment.

Another green technology power project will be put up in Marawi City—a part of the ARMM—in April and the proponent has already conducted ground clearing operations, Marawi City Mayor Sultan Fahad Salic said.

Salic said the P4.7-billion solar photovoltaic farm would rise on an 80-hectare land that forms part of Barangays Malimono and Matampay.

Biggest in Asia?

“The photovoltaic power plant will produce 35 MW. The solar panels have been ordered already and the project is hoped to be completed in a year’s time,” Winston Mendoza, chair and chief executive officer of Lim Solar Philippines Venture Inc., said during the project launch on Feb. 17.

Mendoza said the solar plant was being considered “the biggest solar power park in the entire Asia.”

He said the project would drastically bring down the cost of power in Lanao del Sur province, as electricity generated by the plant would be sold only for P3 per kilowatt hour.

“Marawi will enjoy it for free, being the host,” Mendoza said.

Mastura said a new oil firm that set up a base in the ARMM was hoping to make a dent in the pricing of fuel in Mindanao by bringing in cheap imports from Malaysia.

Iron Blaze Petroleum Inc. has just constructed a 9-million-liter facility in Polloc Port in Parang town, Maguindanao, and has been supplying cheap petroleum to many ARMM areas since December.

“This can be the start of something big, since the oil supply for the oil depot comes from neighboring Malaysia. Experts are telling us that this budding trade and investment relationship can be crucial for our future economic growth, as the ARMM transitions to the new Bangsamoro political entity,” Mastura said. Allan Nawal and Richel Umel, Inquirer Mindanao