Philippines: Pagbilao LNG Terminal Construction Progressing Well

Stewart Elliott, Chairman of Energy World Corporation met in Manilla on Wednesday with Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, Secretary of the Department of Energy of the Philippines, to update him on the progress of the Pagbilao Power and LNG Hub projects.

During the meeting the Secretary emphasised the need for additional power for the Luzon Grid due to the pending power shortages foreseen in 2015/2016 and in addition to conveying his full support for these projects he encouraged EWC to bring into commercial operation the first 200MW gas turbine as soon as possible with the second 200MW unit shortly thereafter. He also encouraged the construction of the Hub Terminal and the use of LNG as an environmentally preferred fuel source for these gas turbines, EWC said in a statement.

This LNG Hub Terminal facility will provide Philippines with increased options in regard to its fuel mix for power generation and other energy uses thus supporting the Department of Energy’s policy to broaden the use of natural gas throughout the Philippines.

Construction of the Pagbilao LNG terminal is progressing well with the first stage slipforming of the 130,000m3 LNG tank completed, the second stage slipforming of the LNG tank will commence next week. This is a significant milestone in the construction of the LNG Hub Terminal and represents the largest concrete containment tank slipformed in the Philippines, EWS said.

“After an extensive period of evaluation (in excess of six months), and with the benefit of advice from independent third party advisors, the company’s Independent Non-Executive Directors concluded and recommended that it was in the best interest of the company to award the co-ordinating role on the Pagbilao Power Project and the EPC contract to Slipform Engineering International (H.K.) Ltd. A contract has therefore been concluded between EWC and Slipform Engineering reflecting the approvals received and site preparation and clearance works have commenced at Pagbilao for the gas fired power station,” EWC noted in the statement.

Also, with the award of this contract, arrangements can now be made to transport the two 200MW gas turbines manufactured and supplied by Siemens which are ready for shipment from Charleston Port USA to the Pagbilao site and EWC is now able to enter into detailed discussions for the project financing for both the LNG Hub Terminal and the Power Plant, the company added.

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LNG World News Staff, April 24, 2014; Image: EWC