EDC working to restore power plants in Leyte

Energy Development Corp., the country's largest generator of geothermal power, said nearly all power plants at the Leyte geothermal facility are currently inoperable due to damage caused by super typhoon Yolanda. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, EDC said none of the main power plants constituting 650MW are currently operable.

EDC said the cooling tower of the Malitbog (232MW), Tongonan (112.5MW) and Mahanagdong (180MW) power plants are inoperable due to "significant damage" sustained due to the typhoon. Also, the control systems of Tongonan, Mahanagdong and Upper Mahiao sustained water damage. The four plants, Malitbog, Tongonan,Mahanagdong and Upper Mahiao, account for 93% of the Leyte field's installed generating capacity.

EDC said it is still assessing the status of its small optimization plants, 15MW Tongonan Topping Cycle and 16MW Malitbog Bottoming Cycle. "The company is exerting all best efforts to return all the power plants back to service at the soonest possible time," EDC said. EDC noted the steamfield lines appear to be operable despite damage. Almost all of its buildings in Leyte have sustained varying degrees of damage.

All of EDC's employees have been accounted for, but less than 30% have reported back to work since many are still coping with the aftermath of the typhoon's destruction. EDC said it has formally written to the National Power Corp., citing the revelavnt force majeure provision of the power purchase agreement.

At the same time, EDC and other members of the Lopez Group of Companies have mobilized their resources to provide humanitarian and other assistance to the municipality of Kanangga and Ormoc City.