Vivant to power up Bantayan Island

MANILA, Philippines — Vivant Energy Corp. is set to power up Bantayan Island, a rising tourist destination in Cebu, by the second quarter of next year.

In an interview with reporters, Vivant Energy chief operating officer Emil Andre Garcia said the company bagged the power contract from Bantayan Island Electric Cooperative Inc. (Banelco).

He said the company is working on a 23-megawatt (MW) bunker-fired power plant in partnership with Gigawatt Power Inc.

Vivant Energy, through subsidiary Vivant Integrated Diesel Corp. (VIDC), will own 65 percent of project, while Gigawatt Power will own 45 percent.

“The installed capacity for Bantayan is 23 MW. The demand of Bantayan right now is 10 MW. We’re hoping to hit COD (commercial operation date) by April 2021,” Garcia said.

The completion target is timely with the power contract expiry of current supplier Bantayan Island Power Corp. (BIPCOR) in 2021.

Banelco concluded a competitive selection process (CSP) in July last year and awarded the 15-year contract to supply 15 MW of net dependable capacity to the joint venture of VIDC and Gigawatt Power.

The parties have committed to submit the joint application of the power supply agreement (PSA) to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in March.

The 23-MW power project will consist of two 7.5-MW bunker-fired units and three 2.8-MW bunker-fired units.

The project will service the energy requirements of three municipalities: Bantayan, Santa Fe, and Madridejos, all situated in Bantayan island.

“We’re really excited about the project because number 1, it’s in our backyard. If we make a difference in the country, we really want to make a difference in Cebu,” Garcia said.

Bantayan Island saw an influx of tourists as it became an alternative destination when Boracay was closed and redeveloped last year.

Earlier, Banelco said power demand surged amid the increase in the number of visitors, construction of new establishments, and overall development of the island.

In 2018, peak demand rose to six MW, well above the current 4.892 MW being supplied to the power coop.

From 2019 onwards, Banelco forecasts an annual growth rate of 10 percent until it reaches 13 MW by 2027.

Vivant Energy is known for being the first to operate a smart hybrid power plant facility in an off-grid area through the Sabang Renewable Energy Corp. and the first New Power Provider  in Palawan through Delta P Inc.

It is one of the largest power providers in SPUG areas with a diverse portfolio of over 40 MW.