Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 6, Energy Development Corp. (EDC), a subsidiary of First Gen Corporation, is planning significant upgrades to its geothermal power facilities in the Tongonan Geothermal Field, located in Kananga and Ormoc, Leyte, Philippines. The initiative aims to enhance efficiency, extend plant life, and ensure sustainable operations across its Tongonan, Malitbog, and Upper Mahiao plants.

Teodulfo Troyo, head of EDC’s Leyte site, told Asian Power: “We will install various mitigations at the wellhead and plant interface, such as solids capturing devices and steam washing systems.” These upgrades will deliver purified, high-quality steam, removing impurities to ensure reliable and efficient steam turbine operations.

The Tongonan Geothermal Field, spanning over 107,000 hectares of protected forest land, includes 31 production wells and nine reinjection wells. EDC is collaborating with a professional engineering firm experienced in global geothermal projects to design the upgrades. Troyo stated: “These are still in the planning stage, but since they are already used abroad, we hope to replicate similar success.” The upgrades are expected to add 10 to 15 MW of capacity without significant infrastructure costs.

Currently in the data-gathering phase, EDC anticipates the design process will take six months, followed by two to three years for construction and equipment replacement. The company is exploring technologies like electrical submersible pumps to rejuvenate older wells and modular binary plants to minimize steam piping needs. Existing turbines and generator rotors have been replaced, enabling near-full automation. Troyo noted: “Operations now focus on optimising and monitoring the plant, with less manual adjustment.”

Additionally, EDC plans to replace nine cooling towers with units designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes, ensuring operational resilience. These upgrades are expected to extend the Tongonan facilities’ lifespan until at least 2046.

EDC is also planning upgrades for other facilities. The 180 MW Mahanagdong plant is scheduled for rehabilitation and capacity enhancements within three to five years, while the Upper Mahiao plant will undergo a complete replacement to increase capacity from 130 MW to at least 200 MW, supported by new geothermal wells. With seven other geothermal power stations across the Philippines, EDC’s total generating capacity exceeds 1,100 MW.

These initiatives will strengthen the reliability of renewable energy in Leyte, supporting local economic growth and contributing to the Philippines’ sustainable energy goals through advanced geothermal technology.