Geothermal energy development in the Philippines: An overview

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Geothermics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6505(93)90024-H· OSTI ID:143813

Sussman, D ^[1]; Javellana, S P ^[2]; Benavidez, P J ^[3]

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1. Philippine Geothermal, Inc., Makati (Philippines)
2. Philippine National Oil Co.--Energy Development Corp., Fort Bonifacio (Philippines)
3. National Power Corp., Biliman, Quezon City (Philippines)

The Philippines is the third largest producer of geothermal electricity after the US and Mexico. Geothermal exploration was started in 1962, and the first large commercial power plants came on-line in 1979 in two fields. By 1984, four geothermal fields had a combined installed capacity of 890 MWe and in 1992 these plants supplied about 20% of the country`s electric needs. Geothermal energy development was stimulated in the mid-1970s by the oil crisis and rapidly growing power demand, government support, available foreign funding, and a combination of private and government investment and technical expertise. However, no new geothermal capacity has been added since 1984, despite the growing demand for energy and the continuing uncertainty in the supply of crude oil. The Philippines` geothermal capacity is expected to expand by 270--1,100 MWe by the end of 1999. Factors that will affect the rate growth in this decade include suitable legislation, environmental requirements, financing, degree of private involvement, politics, inter-island electric grid connections, and viability of the remaining prospects.

• OSTI ID: 143813
• Journal Information: Geothermics, Journal Name: Geothermics Journal Issue: 5-6 Vol. 22; ISSN GTMCAT; ISSN 0375-6505
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
COMPILED DATA
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
GEOLOGY
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
PHILIPPINES
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT