19 Jul 2007
The privatization program of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) continues to receive a positive response as 17 prospective bidders attended the pre-bid conference for the 600-megawatt Calaca Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant held last Wednesday, 18 July. Eighteen investor groups had signified their interest to participate in the auction of the Batangas-based power facility when its Invitation to Bid was issued on 06 July.
The presence of representatives from the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel and the Justice and Finance departments reaffirmed government's committed support to the privatization of the assets of the National Power Corporation, noted PSALM President Jose C. Ibazeta. He said government agencies involved in the privatization program continue to work and coordinate with PSALM to ensure the smooth and transparent conduct of the bidding exercises.
President Ibazeta cautioned the bidders that while PSALM would be lenient in providing them sufficient time to prepare their documentary requirements, it would be firm on its 16 October bid date. "We want to show our resolve in trying to get all these assets sold," he said.
PSALM announced that it would hold another pre-bid conference to discuss the supply allocation that will be attached to the Calaca sale. The supply contract allocation is still being finalized with National Power. The conference will be similar to the one PSALM held for the 600-MW Masinloc coal-fired plant, which is now awaiting the 26 July bid submission deadline.
With the privatization of the Calaca and Masinloc plants under way, PSALM hopes to commence the bidding for the other generating assets this year. These include the Ambuklao and Binga hydroelectric plants, and the Tiwi-Makban and Palinpinon geothermal assets. The fourth round of bidding for the 25-year concession contract of the National Transmission Corporation is also scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2007.
The Calaca facility, which consists of two 300-MW generating units, is primarily designed to run as a base-load plant and can operate as a network-frequency regulating plant at a minimum stable load of 150 MW per unit. Both units are also designed for plant redundancy, which means that one unit can undergo maintenance without affecting the plant's full output.
Strategic Communications and Partnership Division |