San Miguel Global Power shines at Asian Power Awards and Asian Water Awards 2024

San Miguel Global Power is celebrated for their commitment to ecological stewardship and innovative technologies in the power sector.

San Miguel Global Power (SMGP) and its subsidiary, Malita Power Inc. (MPI), achieved significant recognition at the Asian Power Awards and Asian Water Awards 2024 for their exemplary efforts in environmental sustainability and technological innovation at Malita Power Plant in Davao Occidental, Philippines.

SMGP was awarded the ESG Programme of the Year - Philippines. Meanwhile, MPI received accolades in multiple categories, namely Information Technology Project of the Year - Philippines, Power Utility of the Year - Philippines, and R&D Project of the Year - Philippines for the Asian Power Awards; as well as Water Conservation Initiative of the Year - Philippines and Water Reuse and Recycling Project of the Year - Philippines at the Asian Water Awards.

Streamlining the monitoring and reporting process

SMGP's award-winning ESG programme highlights its dedication to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles throughout its operations. Beginning with a baseline study in July 2022, the company fully implemented standardised greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting in January 2023 across all its operating plants, allowing for effective monitoring and management of its environmental footprint.

To support this initiative, SMGP partnered with a global consultancy firm to establish a comprehensive GHG emissions profile. The introduction of a GHG Inventory Tool, developed by SMGP's Carbon Accounting Analyst, has streamlined emissions monitoring, enabling automated data entry and detailed reporting. This tool adheres to the GHG Protocol Standard and has enhanced the company’s ability to track emissions sources whilst reducing errors and improving efficiency.

Additionally, SMGP employs scenario-based analyses to project future emissions and develop a decarbonisation roadmap aligned with national and international climate goals. The company aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, showcasing its commitment to a sustainable future.

Enhancing efficiency, reliability, and sustainability

Malita Power Inc., which operates a 2 x 150 MW coal-fired thermal plant in Malita, Davao Occidental, Philippines, was recognised for its innovative technologies

Amongst MPI’s initiatives recognised by the award programmes is its RheoVac Condenser Monitoring System, which was implemented to tackle air leakage issues in condensers. By using a multi-sensor probe design, RheoVac provides real-time data on pressure, temperature, air leakage and other vital parameters. This data-driven approach helps MPI proactively maintain equipment, as it also gives a comprehensive view of condenser performance, which allows quick corrective actions.

RheoVac’s ability to detect even minor air leaks has saved MPI significantly in maintenance costs, including PHP8,687,762.16 (US$156,235.07) in reduced feedwater valve cage replacements. It has also improved thermal efficiency, leading to lower coal consumption and operational expenses.

MPI also enhanced reliability with SmartCheck technology. This offers real-time vibration monitoring and employs advanced vibration sensors and wireless communication for continuous monitoring.

SmartCheck integrates easily with smart devices, allowing maintenance teams to access data via smartphones through the Schaeffler SmartCheck app. The 18 sensors installed on electric motors and vertical pumps provide detailed insights into vibration, temperature, and speed, facilitating early issue detection and timely fixes.

Another initiative by MPI is its installation of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS), which are integrated with meteorological weather stations. This system measures air pollutants like sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and ozone, as well as weather parameters such as temperature and humidity. CAAQMS provides real-time data essential for analysing pollution patterns and assessing environmental controls.

Plant performance

MPI achieved an impressive 360 days of continuous operation for Unit 1 and 320 days for Unit 2 in 2023. This reliability allowed the company to exceed its power generation target, delivering a total of 1,809 GWh to the grid. Notably, MPI has accumulated 4.8 million safe man hours since last LTA and MPI’s in-house maintenance activities resulted in significant savings of PHP38m (US$683,367), helping them achieve its target EBITDA for 2023.  

The company’s contributions to air quality monitoring and climate change mitigation received recognition from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).

MPI secured certification for Contingency Reserve Service, essential for maintaining grid stability and preventing blackouts. Additionally, it maintained its certifications for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 22301. In the same year, MPI also successfully implemented the use of 100% low-calorie local coal in its power plant. By optimising operational processes and utilising a local fuel source without compromising efficiency or output, MPI did not only achieve significant cost savings but also reduced its dependency on imported coal.

Addressing vulnerabilities

When Indonesia implemented a month-long ban on coal exports in January 2022, it led to a near depletion of MPI’s coal inventory. This situation exposed the vulnerabilities in the company’s reliance on imported coal, which prompted its shift to using low-cost local fuel sources for power generation.

The goal of this initiative is to leverage the fuel flexibility of circulating fluidised bed (CFB) boiler technology to utilise low-calorie local coal as a viable fuel source for power generation. Importantly, MPI aims to achieve this without compromising the performance and reliability of its plant.

The project began with computational simulations conducted by MPI’s technical and financial support team. Its boilers were originally designed for 4,200 kcal coal, so changes in the heating value of the fuel would directly impact boiler parameters and fuel costs. The simulations led to the approval of three specific coal mixtures such as 33% local coal & 67% Indonesian coal (4,200 kcal); 67% local coal & 33% Indonesian coal (4,200 kcal); and 100% local coal.

The utilisation of low-calorie local coal resulted in reduced fuel costs, all whilst maintaining high combustion efficiency and operational stability. 

Innovative water management

A key component of MPI’s facility is the Water Treatment Plant. This provides demineralised water necessary for steam production through processes such as pretreatment, reverse osmosis (RO), and ion exchange.

MPI’s RO system operates in multiple stages, allowing for enhanced filtration and improved water quality. The reject water produced during this process is repurposed by treating it with chlorination for non-potable applications like firefighting, toilet flushing, bathing, and washing.

Additionally, MPI implemented a rainwater collection system that channels water from rooftops into clarified water tanks. Since this initiative began in January 2020, MPI has successfully conserved an average of 5,800 cubic metres of water each month, based on data from July 2023 to June 2024.

The repurposed non-potable water primarily benefits our employees, significantly reducing the demand for water from the local government unit's supply by around 9,000 cubic metres annually. Furthermore, it has improved the availability of water resources, optimised management practices, and lessened the environmental impact associated with wastewater disposal.

This initiative is flexible enough to adjust to changing water availability and demand, accommodating climate variability by capitalising on rainwater. Continuous monitoring and optimisation of these water treatment processes ensure operational efficiency.
The Asian Power Awards honours exceptional companies that have taken game-changing steps to address the effects of the climate crisis and meet the growing demand for energy. Meanwhile, Asian Water Awards recognises innovative projects, initiatives and companies that have made significant contributions to water management, conservation, and sustainability in the region.

The Asian Power Awards and Asian Water Awards is presented by Asian Power Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's revolutionary innovations and initiatives, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected]