MARIVELES, Bataan: GNPower Mariveles Energy Center Ltd. Co. (GMEC) announced Monday that Unit 1 and 2 of its coal-fired power plant in Barangay Alas-Asin here are currently on shutdown due to a fire incident at its crusher house Sunday.
Operation of Units 1 and 2 of 316 megawatts each were temporarily stopped due to the suspension of the coaling of bunkers caused by spontaneous combustion (sponcom) at around 7:40 a.m. Sunday.
GMEC community relations officers described suspension of the coaling of bunkers as “suspension of coal conveying to the bunkers.” They said that this was the first time that the plant suffered shutdown due to sponcom which is usual occurrence to coal-fired plant.
ComRel said GMEC management is monitoring the situation and has coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection in Limay, Orion, Mariveles and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan.
GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co., sister company of GMEC, fire emergency section is also of continuing support to assure that the fire incident is under control.
Based on the initial findings, no declared injuries and casualties were reported but no official declaration of fire out yet. Authorities are still ascertaining the exact damage to the facility. Investigation going on.
ComRel officers said smoke caused by fire has been visible within the GMEC premises Sunday night so their team coordinated with the nearby barangays.
“Our company is currently assessing the safety within our host communities to ensure that this unfortunate event will be contained,” GMEC ComRel said.
