NORTH MAHARLIKA Energy Corp. (NMEC) is proposing to develop a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility in Pangasinan with an estimated investment of P2.5 billion to P3.2 billion, according to documents submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The proposed facility, to be located in Urdaneta City, will have a generating capacity of 12 megawatts (MW) and is targeted to begin commercial operations by the second quarter of 2030.
According to the company’s filing, the project will occupy a 36,948-square-meter (sq.m.) site and could process more than 650 tons of waste daily from Urdaneta City and nearby areas.
NMEC said the project is intended to help address local solid waste management concerns while generating electricity from waste materials.
“The province of Pangasinan and Urdaneta City face mounting solid waste management challenges due to rapid urbanization, shrinking landfill capacity, and the risks of leachate contamination from open waste facilities,” the company said.
WTE technologies convert waste materials into usable energy, including electricity, heat, or fuel.
NMEC was among the 11 companies that qualified to participate in the Department of Energy’s (DoE) special green energy auction for WTE projects, which has a target capacity of 400 MW.
The auction was held on Oct. 13, with the DoE expected to announce potential winning bidders on Nov. 5.
The Energy Regulatory Commission earlier approved a green energy auction reserve price of P9.2959 per kilowatt-hour for WTE projects.
The reserve price serves as the ceiling for bids submitted under the auction program.
Under the DoE’s timetable, winning projects are expected to achieve mechanical completion by the end of 2028 and begin delivering electricity by the end of 2029.
The government is promoting WTE development as part of efforts to address solid waste management challenges while increasing domestic power supply. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera