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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider DOE encourages more geothermal exploration following PGPC's move

DOE encourages more geothermal exploration following PGPC's move

Published May 6, 2025 04:26 pm

Following the Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc.’s (PGPC) recent exploration in Albay, the Department of Energy (DOE) has encouraged developers to further explore geothermal resources.

In a statement, PGPC announced the commencement of geothermal exploration and drilling operations at Mt. Malinao using its drilling rig, Pioneer 1. The site has been identified as a prospective source of renewable energy (RE).

This newly launched project is expected to bolster Luzon’s RE mix in the coming years. PGPC’s developments in Albay, along with its other new sites, could potentially generate up to 300 megawatts (MW) of additional baseload capacity.

DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra commended PGPC’s efforts, stating that the new geothermal steam fields would contribute to the country’s RE fleet.

“This project represents the type of innovation that our energy market needs in its ability to make meaningful contributions to our RE supply,” she said.

PGPC currently operates 300 MW of geothermal steam fields, with one located in Tiwi, Albay, and another in Mak-Ban, spanning the provinces of Batangas and Laguna.

“Expanding beyond the long-serving Tiwi geothermal field shows your determination and forward-thinking approach,” Guevarra added, expressing hope that this would encourage other developers to explore new geothermal resources across the Philippines.

PGPC, now under the Sy-led SM Investments Corporation (SMIC), holds the distinction of being Southeast Asia’s first commercial geothermal power firm, established in 1979.

Its origins trace back to a 2.5-kilowatt government experiment in Albay in 1971. Through a partnership between PGPC’s predecessor and the National Power Corporation (NPC), this experiment evolved into the first commercial geothermal power project in Southeast Asia.

This collaboration led to the development of Tiwi and Mak-Ban, marking the inception of the geothermal industry in the Philippines and PGPC’s commercial operations in 1979.

PGPC’s concession areas are situated in Benguet, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Kalinga, and Quezon.

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