San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp. (SMCPC) is preparing for the development of a 56-megawatt (MW) diesel power plant project in Zamboanga City, documents submitted to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) showed.
The project has an indicative estimated cost of P3.2 billion that will include the conduct of feasibility study, preparation of detailed engineering design, acquisition of necessary government permits and licenses, site development, leasing and construction of power plant components, procurement of equipment and materials, environmental management and protection, pollution control facilities, and environmental monitoring activities.
The EMB filing showed initial project cost for the first 28 MW phase is P1.6 billion and the other P1.6 billion is for the 28 MW second phase.
SMCPC said in the filing it initially applied and secured an environmental compliance certificate for a single 28 MW gas turbine power plant project but decided to increase it to 56 MW due to projections of increasing power demand in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula in the coming years.
The company said the project is seen to help the looming low voltage issue in Zamboanga City as the Zamboanga Peninsula lacks local generators which trigger voltage difficulties and power instability in northwestern Mindanao.
Among potential environmental impacts cited by SMCPC that are being assessed by EMB for the project are soil erosion, vegetation removal and loss of habitat, threat to existence or loss of important local species, pollution of land, ground vibration and possible surface water pollution and water quality deterioration from solid and liquid wastes, among others. – Jed Macapagal
