Finnish firm tapped for Vivant Energy power plant in Bantayan Island, Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — Vivant Energy Corp. is tapping Finnish smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions provider Wärtsilä to put up a bunker-fired power plant in Bantayan Island in Cebu.

Vivant Energy’s subsidiary Isla Norte Energy Corp. is tapping Wärtsilä to provide the engineering and equipment for its 23-megawatt (MW) power plant that will supply reliable and stable power to the entire island of Bantayan in northern Cebu.

 The power plant, expected to be completed in 2021, will supply electricity to the entire island, which currently experiences frequent blackouts because of the lack of a reliable power supply.

 Isla Norte Energy Corp.(INEC), a joint venture of Vivant Energy Corp. and Gigawatt Power Corp., was awarded a 15-year power supply agreement by the Bantayan Electric Cooperative (Banelco). 

Bantayan, which has a population of about 80,000, is a major tourist destination with a growing trade and commerce. 

“The new power plant is an essential element for a secure economic future for Bantayan Island. We are, at the same time, actively seeking to deliver electricity to small islands throughout the region, and a capable, reliable partner such as Wärtsilä, is needed for this,” Vivant Energy COO Emil Andre Garcia said. 

Wartsila provided the engineering and equipment for Delta P, which runs a 47-MW diesel-fired power plant in Puerto Princesa, and the Calamian Islands Power Corp. (CIPC), which supplies power to the off-grid areas of Coron and Busuanga through the Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative. 

“We have enjoyed a long-term relationship with Gigawatt and Vivant, and are pleased to be again providing a power plant solution tailored to the specific requirements of the project. The Wärtsilä solution features the latest technology with high efficiency engines, and it will certainly add reliability to the local supply system and another addition to the growing installed base in the off-grid areas in the Philippines,” said Frederic Carron, Wärtsilä energy business’ vice president for Middle East and Asia.

Earlier this year, Vivant Corp. said it is looking to spend around P1 billion this year to expand its power business by raising its attributable capacity to 500 MW in three years.

Apart from the 23-MW bunker-fired power plant in Bantayan Island, Vivant Energy participated in the competitive selection process (CSP) of Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco) to supply 20 MW, of El Nido for 10 MW and Marinduque for 16 MW.

The Vivant power unit is also looking to expand into the renewable energy space, investing in solar and wind projects in particular.

To-date, Vivant Energy has an attributable capacity of 282 MW composed of diesel and coal-fired power projects.

Parent firm Vivant is in the business of electric power generation, electric power distribution and retail electricity supply in the Philippines, particularly in Luzon and Visayas.