Alsons sees better prospects this year

MANILA, Philippines — Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR) sees better prospects this year on the back of additional capacity from its Sarangani coal plant and contributions from its diesel plants under contracts.

“Actually, (we’re seeing) good prospects for this year,” ACR acting chief executive officer and executive vice president Tirso Santillan said in an interview after the company’s stockholders’ meeting recently.

The main driver for the positive outlook is from the completion the second 105-megawatt (MW) unit of the Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC) coal plant.

He said the second plant would start commercial operations in the second half.  This will benefit some three million consumers in South Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental and North Cotabato.

In addition, one of ACR’s diesel plants also secured an ancillary service procurement agreement (ASPA) with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), providing the company additional boost.

Western Mindanao Power Corp. (WMPC) signed an ASPA with NGCP for its 100-MW power plant In Zamboanga City to provide dispatchable generating capacity, reactive power support, and black start capability to stabilize in the Zamboanga peninsula.

Southern Philippines Power Corp. has also pitched a proposal to NGCP to provide ancillary services from its 55-MW power station in Alabel, Sarangani to help secure the power grid in Region 12 or South Central Mindanao.