Philippines: New 22-MW geothermal power plant switched on in Sorsogon

Manila: A new power plant driven by steam from the bosom of the Earth has been activated in Sorsogon, about 600 km southeast of Manila on Friday (August 1, 2025).

Manila-based Energy Development Corp (EDC), the world’s largest vertically integrated geothermal power firm and a subsidiary of First Gen Corp, activated its ₱7-billion ($120 million), 22-megawatt (MW) Tanawon Geothermal Power Plant.

It marks a fresh milestone in the country’s renewable energy journey. 

The facility came online after more than 27 months of development.

Located within the Bacon-Manito (Bac-Man) geothermal complex, which straddles two of the Asian nation’s 24 active volcanoes – Mayon and Bulusan – the Tanawon plant is projected to generate 159,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) or 159 GWh of electricity annually.

This will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 38,312 tonnes yearly, reinforcing EDC’s commitment to a decarbonised future, according to proponents.

The project, awarded a Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS) by the Department of Energy (DOE) in November 2020, underscores its role in enhancing energy security and climate resilience.

The Tanawon project was developed with key technical and construction partners. 

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corp (Toshiba ESS) and Toshiba (Philippines) Inc collaborated with EDC’s subsidiary, Bac-Man Geothermal Inc. (BGI), to deliver the 20-MW flash geothermal power plant.

Operations initially slated for November 2024 but successfully commissioned earlier. 

The project is part of Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), with Mizuho-Toshiba Leasing overseeing emissions reporting. 

These partnerships highlight EDC’s strategy of leveraging advanced technology and international collaboration to optimise geothermal resource utilisation.

The Tanawon plant strengthens the Luzon grid, which faces growing electricity demand projected to increase by 4.5% annually. 

By supplying stable, baseload power, the 22MW facility supports the Bicol region’s energy needs and enhances grid reliability, reducing dependence on coal, which accounts for 31% of the Philippines’ electricity mix. 

Unlike intermittent renewables like solar or wind, geothermal energy’s 24/7 availability makes it a critical component for grid stabilisation, complementing EDC’s existing 140MW Bac-Man facility.

Compared to other Philippine geothermal projects, Tanawon is modest in scale. 

EDC’s Malitbog plant in Leyte, with a 232.5 MW capacity, remains the country’s largest wet steam field, while the 32MW Maibarara project in Batangas, a public-private partnership, plans further expansion. 

The recently-inaugurated 28.9MW Palayan Bayan binary plant, also in Bac-Man, uses Turboden’s Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology to harness waste heat, showcasing EDC’s innovation in maximising resource efficiency. 

Tanawon’s contribution, though smaller, aligns with EDC’s broader portfolio, which includes 1,484.13MW of installed capacity, representing 61% of the Philippines’ geothermal capacity.

The Philippines ranks as the world’s third-largest geothermal power producer, behind the US and Indonesia, with an installed capacity of approximately 1.9 gigawatts (GW), contributing 14.6% to the national electricity mix. 

EDC, the largest vertically integrated geothermal company globally, drives this leadership, managing key fields in Luzon, Leyte, Negros, and Mindanao. 

The DOE’s Renewable Energy Roadmap aims to increase the renewable share to 35% by 2030, with geothermal playing a pivotal role due to its reliability and low emissions.