ABB to supply integrated electrical, control solution for new plant in Philippines

The plant will provide 97MW.

ABB is supplying an integrated electrical and control solution for a new power plant that will help meet peak demand and ease power shortages in the Philippines.

ABB was awarded the contract by Istroenergo Group a.s. (IEG), the Slovakia-based power plant engineering, procurement and construction contractor, for its ability to provide a complete and fully integrated electrical and control solution on a fast-track basis for one of the Philippines’ most important new energy projects.

The San Gabriel Avion open cycle gas-fired power plant will provide 97 megawatts (MW) of much-needed power for the island of Luzon - the economic and industrial hub of the Philippines and home to around half the country’s 100 million population. Luzon is currently facing a power shortage that is forecast to deepen in mid-2015. The plant is owned by Philippines-based energy company First Gen and is located in Batangas City in the southern part of the island.

IEG and ABB will deliver the project in the exceptionally short time of just 10 months. This will enable First Gen to start producing energy in April 2015 in time to counter the expected power shortfall in Luzon a few weeks later. The plant will have peaking capability and be able to reach full load within 10 minutes of start-up and handle 2,000 rapid starts a year.

ABB was involved in the early stage of the project, right from the conceptual design optimization and engineering stage to tendering phases. This close collaboration earns ABB the award while the overall early involvement and understanding in the project helps to significantly shorten the delivery and project execution time.