Big ticket geothermal firms Energy Development Corporation (EDC) of the Lopez Group and Sy-owned Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) as well as Mase Power Corporation have submitted bids for the geothermal blocks tendered by the Department of Energy (DOE) via the 3rd open and competitive selection process (OCSP) for conventional renewable projects.
For pre-determined area (PDA) 1 which is the Daklan block, offers were lodged by both EDC and PGPC; PDA 3 or the Putting Lupa block cornered bids from EDC and Mase Power Corporation; and PDA 5 for Mt Labo prospect had PGPC as lone bidder.
“All geothermal applications were found to have submitted complete documentary requirements,” the DOE has announced, although post-evaluation processes have yet to be carried out on the bids before any decision on award of contracts.
While EDC and PGPC are already well-entrenched players in the industry, Mase Power is a new investor and it is reportedly owned by a son-in-law of former chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
The energy department has specified though that it did not receive tenders for two geothermal blocks: these are for Area 2 in Acupan-Itogon in Benguet; and Maricaban in Batangas.
For hydro, the DOE specified that all applications “were found to be incomplete in documentary requirements.” And for that, the department instructed the applicants that they “were given until February 18 to file a motion for reconsideration.”
Among the firms that submitted bids for the hydro blocks have been Total Power Inc. and Century Peak Energy Corporation.
The energy department primarily indicated that it cornered one application for each PDA area for hydropower resources – for a total of at least eight (8) blocks, namely: Amlan C, Amlan A, Hilabangan Upper Cascade, Hilabangan Lower Cascade, Maninila Lower Cascade, Manininila Upper Cascade, Tibiao; and then Sibalom Middle Cascade.
The areas that did not receive bids had been: Dalanas, Aklan River Lower East, Middle East and Upper West tributaries; Vera Falls, Palali Falls, Coyaoyao Upper Cascade, Dapnan and Balintingon.
As prescribed under the OCSP-3 timelines, the evaluation of all bids (legal, technical and financial offers) is due for completion until March 2 this year; while the awarding of RE contracts is targeted by April 14, 2021.
Despite some areas not attracting tenders, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi brandished that OCSP-3 still yielded successful outcome.
“The DOE has been promoting RE developments to both local and foreign investors. This will accelerate our energy transition towards sustainable development,” the energy chief stressed.
According to the DOE, the bid process enticed at least 125 participants who viewed the opening of the RE applications through various social media and web conferencing platforms.
Energy Assistant Secretary Robert B. Uy said “the time and effort that were put in by our participating bidders or applicants in the preparation and submission of their respective bids are appreciated.”
The energy officials asserted that the development of the renewable energy sources, which the Philippines has been richly endowed, will be part of the country’s overall quest for energy independence and sustainability.