APRI’s Aboitiz (right) explains to Gov. Pineda their planned geothermal power exploration in Pampanga.
Joining them are (L-R) Board Member David-Dizon, governor’s consultant-adviser Roy Imperial, Vice Mayor David, FEDS’ Tolentino and Poblete and AP’s Ruccius. Photo by Ric Gonzales
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Electric power generator and distributor AboitizPower (AP), which earned a net income of P12.2 billion in the first six months of 2012, has applied for permits to explore geothermal power source in some 20,000 hectares of land in Pampanga and nearby Zambales.
Bill Ruccius, AP vice president for business development, on Monday presented to Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and the provincial board their planned exploration in Porac and Floridablanca in Pampanga and San Marcelino and Botolan in Zambales. At least 40 percent of the area is in Pampanga, he added.
Ruccius disclosed that their first venture on geothermal power search is with the Makati City-based FEDS Energy Resources and Development Services Inc.
He added that they are willing to invest as much as $300 million for the planned 100-MW plant in the area largely owned by Indigenous tribes based in the two provinces. FEDS was represented by its president and executive officer Bernardo Tolentino and managing director Ricardo Poblete Jr.
Danel Aboitiz, assistant vice president of AP Renewables Inc. (APRI), said they had applied “the first of many permits” before the Department of Energy (DoE) for their planned project. APRI is a subsidiary of the AP.
Aboitiz added that the same area was explored by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and their local partners for energy source shortly before Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991.
Aboitiz assured Pineda that the project will mainly benefit the communities in the area and “is environment-friendly.”
For her part, Pineda said “all investors are welcome in Pampanga as long they follow the local and national laws.”
“More importantly, investments should primarily benefit the people,” added the governor in the dialect.
Porac Vice Mayor Dexter David and his sister, 2nd District Board Member Olga Frances David-Dizon, joined Pineda in the short meeting at the Capitol’s executive house.
David said they welcomed the AP and their project but stressed that the welfare of the Aetas “should be assured.” There are at least 1,800 Aeta families in Porac.
The AP officials said the revenues derived from the project will benefit the local and national governments based on existing laws.
AP, holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments, is into power generation, distribution, retail and power services.
It has several hydroelectric and geothermal assets in its generation portfolio and also has non-renewable power plants located across the country, said the firm in its website.
The company also owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, it added.
