EDC to Invest $540M in 90-MW Bac-Man Geothermal Expansion
- August 27, 2025
Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the Lopez-led renewable energy company, is setting its sights on a significant boost to its geothermal operations in Bicol.
Following recent assessments, the firm identified the potential to add 90 megawatts (MW) of capacity to its Bacon-Manito (Bac-Man) field, a move that could require an investment of roughly $540 million over the next five to six years, according to EDC President and COO Jerome Cainglet.
Cainglet said much of the company’s planned growth is anchored in the Bac-Man geothermal site, which covers Bacon in Sorsogon City and Manito in Albay. “Here in the Bac-Man area, [we’re seeing] maybe another 50 MW, and then another 40 MW. So, hopefully, there should be around 90 MW of geothermal capacity,” he noted.
The said geothermal complex currently consists of two operating plants: the 110-MW Bac-Man facility and the 40-MW Bac-Man 2 facility, both located in Sorsogon.
Cainglet added that achieving the additional 90-MW capacity will take time, with resource development expected to span at least three years. He estimated construction costs at about $6 million per MW, excluding drilling, underscoring the significant investment required to expand the Bac-Man complex beyond its current 150-MW output.
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Project snapshot
The Bac-Man geothermal reservation, covering some 25,000 hectares across Sorsogon and Albay, has recently gained a boost with the inauguration of EDC’s Tanawon plant. Built over 27 months at a cost of ₱7 billion, the new facility adds 22 MW to the complex and is projected to deliver 159,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean, reliable power each year.
“Tanawon’s inauguration is not only a proud achievement for First Gen and EDC, but also a win for the country’s energy security and climate resilience journey,” noted Cainglet. “We dedicate it to our communities, government partners, and everyone committed to a decarbonized, regenerative future.”
Cainglet also stated that EDC is advancing energy storage plans, with a 20-MWh battery system under development to be integrated into the Bac-Man production field in the following year.
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Expansion plans
Beyond Bac-Man, EDC is gearing up for new projects this year, including the 28-MW Mahanagdong Binary plant in Leyte and battery storage systems in both Leyte and Negros Oriental, each with a 10-MW capacity. These developments form part of the company’s broader push to expand renewable generation and storage.
Additionally, Negros Occidental is expected to see an increase in generation capacity with the upcoming completion of the 5.6-MW Bago Binary Geothermal Power Plant.
EDC has built a diverse portfolio spanning geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar power. With an installed capacity of over 1,400 MW, the company delivers about a fifth of the nation’s renewable energy output and continues to dominate the geothermal sector, supplying more than half of the Philippines’ total installed capacity.
As much as ₱30 billion has been allocated by EDC to support the drilling of 40 new wells slated for completion by 2026.
Sources:
https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/04/edc-eyes-90-mw-geothermal-expansion-in-bac-man-area
https://business.inquirer.net/539125/edc-eyes-540-m-boost-to-geothermal-power-plant-fleet
