A New York-based multinational company will put up a $500 million waste-to-energy (WTE) power plant in Bataan after they recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bataan Governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia.
AgriPower Inc., represented by its Chief Executive Officer Barry J. Berman and Governor Garcia formally signed the MOU last June, paving the way for the setting up of the WTE project that could produce 100 mw of electricity in Bataan.
A leading company in the United States, AgriPower has already set up more than 60 WTE “heat only” systems, now operating in the U.S. and Canada for more than 12 years.
Despite the pandemic that has almost paralyzed most economic activities in the world, journalist Mario Supnad, representing the provincial government as consultant, and Berman of AgriPower continued to work hand in hand for the project, that paved the way for the formal signing of the MOU.
Through the instruction of the governor, Supnad has been getting in touch with Mayor Antonio Joseph “Jopet” Inton of Hermosa town, where the proposed project will be set up for the preparation of the plant’s site.
“We will give priority on the project in Bataan, Philippines since this is one of our biggest projects,” said Berman in a telephone conversation with Supnad.
Gov. Garcia welcomed the project since this is part of the province’s Public, Private, Partnership (PPP) to invite investors and generate employment and thanked Mr. Berman of AgriPower for their trust to invest in Bataan.
Berman said that AgriPower offers its unique “Double Combustion Chamber, Clean Technology, Integrated, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), Waste to Energy (WTE) Systems as a Turnkey package which includes the following: 1. 100 MWe Combined Heat and Power Systems;2. Two 1,000 Tons Per Day Waste-to-Value MSW Sorting Modules; and3. Five 100 Tons Per Day 1-Day Composting Modules.
“The Turnkey Package is inclusive of the referenced equipment as well as Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) Project Management, Operations and Maintenance, Technology Supply and, subject to certain conditions being satisfied, Full Project Financing amounting to about USֆ500 million,” pointed out Berman.
Under the signed MOU, “the Project will be under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme with a 10-year (and possibly up to a 15- or 20-year term) after which AgriPower (other parties) shall turn over the full rights and ownership of the constructed project to Bataan and until such time, the profit will be shared between the two parties under sharing agreement as may be agreed upon.”
Based on the MOU, Bataan shall be responsible for the following:
• “Assistance in promptly entering into an acceptable and long-term Joint Venture or similar Agreement in accordance with the Bataan Integrated PPP Ordinance.
• Assistance in securing acceptable and long-term Waste and Fuel Supply Agreements;
• Assistance in securing acceptable and long-term tipping fees for the Project.
• Assistance in securing acceptable and long-term Power Sales Agreements with the local grid suppliers and/or industrial/commercial customers; • Assistance in securing acceptable and long-term Recyclable Materials Sales Agreements;
• Assistance in securing acceptable and long-term Compost Sales Agreements with local farmers or other purchasers;
• Assistance in finding a suitable land as location of the plant and related infrastructure and services;
• Assistance in providing the AgriPower with available information and data needed for its financial and technical study of the project;
Provide all necessary local and operating permits, licenses and approvals, among others.”
For its part, “AgriPower shall provide the Engineering, Procurement, Construction (“EPC”), Project Management and Operations Maintenance, Technology Supply and Financing for any and all costs, or expenses, to be incurred for the complete construction of the proposed project, including its operation which will generate a substantial income for the Province of Bataan as well as generate jobs that would enhance businesses and industries in the Province.
AgriPower shall further ensure that the CHP and WTE Systems and their related equipment in Bataan have the following features:
• Compliance with RA-9003 Solid Waste Management Act of 2000; • Ability to provide continuous, reliable and low-cost electric power;
• Convert odorous and unsightly landfills into commercial properties or parks;
• Eliminate leachate water, pathogen, rodent and insect problems at the site of your project; • Reduce current waste disposal costs; and
• Generate alternative incremental revenues for PGB from tipping fees, and from electric power, recyclables and compost sales. “Agripower with Combined Heat and Power (“CHP”), Waste to Energy (“WTE”) Systems”, our industry leading Waste-to-Value, Municipal Solid Waste Sorting Modules, and our proprietary 1-Day Composting Modules, all of which are considered the most advanced technologies available in the market today.
Our CHP Systems, as well as our “Heat Only” Systems, were designed, engineered and manufactured in the United States by our company which has over 60 reference installations, some of which have been in operation for more than 12 years. This attests to our Systems’ high quality and reliability. Another feature appreciated by our customers is their low operating costs and minimal maintenance requirements,” added Berman.