Jun 10, 2014 - Philippine geothermal power producer Energy Development Corp (PSE:EDC), or EDC, said Friday it had restarted the second 55-MW unit of its 150-MW Bacon-Manito (Bacman) geothermal complex.
The unit was shut down in March 2013 after a turbine blade was sheared off, inflicting damage to the equipment. The facility was previously revamped and had just kicked off commercial operations. The incident also led to the closure of the complex’s first 55-MW unit in September 2013 as minor cracks were detected in its turbine blades.
The company has conducted reliability tests of the second unit and the facility is already supplying power to the grid. However, it will be closely monitored and will undergo additional tests, according to EDC’s statement on the Philippine stock exchange. The first 55-MW unit was revived in February 2014.
EDC has placed an order for new turbine rotors and diaphragms for units 1 and 2 of the Bacman station from Japan’s Toshiba Corp (TYO:6502). Equipment for the first unit will be delivered in the final quarter of 2014, while components for the second one will be shipped in the first quarter of 2015. The Philippine firm won a government auction in May 2010 to buy the 150 MW Bacon-Manito geothermal plants. The complex consists of Bacman I, which includes the two units of 55 MW, and Bacman II -- two units of 20 MW.
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