MGEN makes final push for Atimonan coal plant
Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) is making a final attempt to advance its 1,200-MW coal-fired power plant in Atimonan by bidding for a power supply agreement with Meralco. The project has faced years of delays and multiple fuel technology pivots.
Why it matters
The project illustrates the challenges of energy infrastructure development and the ongoing debate over coal versus LNG in the Philippines' energy mix.
MANILA, Philippines - Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) is turning to its parent, Manila Electric Co., in what could be its last shot at finally advancing its 1,200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Atimonan, Quezon.
MGEN president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said the power generation firm is gearing up to participate in Meralco's competitive selection process (CSP) for 900 MW of baseload electricity supply.
"Hopefully, when we win it, we can build it. This is the last opportunity for MGEN to execute Atimonan," Rubio said in an interview.
The Atimonan Energy Power Plant has undergone several changes in fuel technology over the past decade. Initially proposed as a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, the project was later redesigned as a coal plant and received environmental clearance in 2015.
Regulatory hurdles, however, delayed its development, prompting MGEN to reconsider its fuel choice.
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