MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) said its subsidiary, Meralco Power Gen Corp. (MGen), has been awarded the right to build, own and operate a hydrogen-ready combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facility on Jurong Island by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore.
Meralco said in a statement yesterday the project, set to be the largest power plant of its kind in Singapore with capacity of at least 600 megawatts (MW), will be pursued by MGen subsidiary, PacificLight Power Pte Ltd. (PLP).
PLP is a joint venture between MGen with a 58 percent stake and Hong Kong-based investment management and holding company First Pacific for the remaining 42 percent stake.
The facility will also include a large-scale battery energy storage system. It is set for commercial operation in January 2029.
The new plant will be capable of using at least 30 percent hydrogen from inception and will have the ability to burn 100 percent hydrogen in the future, depending on market and regulatory demands.
The company said the project’s current site is also expandable to accommodate a second CCGT unit as well as potential future integration of carbon capture, utilization and storage technology.
“This landmark project exemplifies MGen’s steadfast commitment to innovation, sustainability and excellence. As we advance with this investment, we are not only addressing Singapore’s growing energy needs but also setting a new standard for integrating efficiency and environmental responsibility in power generation,” said Emmanuel Rubio, MGen president and chief executive officer.
Prior to this development, PLP also secured from the Singapore EMA last year the right to build, own and operate two power generating units that will provide 100 MW of fast start generation capacity by the second quarter of this year.
The company was awarded with a 25-year fast start contract for a 100 MW, hydrogen-ready gas turbine that can be brought from standstill to full load within 18 minutes, providing capacity for ancillary reserve services.
PLP currently has an existing 800 MW natural gas power plant capacity in Singapore.
