First Gen Corp. is adding 13.5 megawatts (MW) to the capacity of its more than four-decade-old Palinpinon-1 geothermal power plant in Negros Oriental as it moves to modernize its renewable-energy portfolio and extract more electricity from its existing geothermal resource.
The company’s geothermal arm, Energy Development Corp. (EDC), is replacing the plant’s three 37.5-MW turbine-generators with three new 42-MW units, raising Palinpinon-1’s installed capacity to 126 MW from 112.5 MW.
This upgrade will allow the plant to generate more power using the same volume of geothermal steam, according to EDC, effectively increasing generation without requiring additional steam extraction.
The project is also expected to extend the operating life of the facility, which supplies renewable electricity to the Visayas grid.
‘This modernization project reflects our commitment to continuous innovation and environmental stewardship,’ Noel Tan, head of EDC’s Southern Negros Geothermal Project (SNGP), said in a statement.
‘By upgrading our existing infrastructure to generate more electricity without needing additional steam extraction, we are maximizing our natural resources while helping accelerate the Philippines’ transition toward a decarbonized energy future,’ he added.
The Palinpinon-1 rehabilitation is part of First Gen’s broader effort to modernize its renewable-energy assets and maintain dependable low-carbon generation.
EDC said the sustainable operation of the Southern Negros geothermal steamfield has enabled it to operate well beyond the average 25-year lifespan typically associated with geothermal steamfields.
The SNGP has a combined capacity of 222.5 MW.
In 2025, its generation avoided more than 1.035 million metric tons of carbon-dioxide-equivalent emissions, according to the company.
EDC said the figure represents emissions that would have been associated with supplying an equivalent amount of electricity from carbon-intensive coal-fired power plants.
The Palinpinon-1 upgrade will allow First Gen to increase renewable generation from an existing facility rather than relying on additional steam extraction, while extending the useful life of the plant.
For the Visayas grid, the additional 13.5 MW represents incremental renewable capacity from an established geothermal facility, supporting the availability of round-the-clock power as the country works to expand its renewable-energy base.