Geothermal energy producer Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is exploring options to repurpose its 129 MW Upper Mahiao Power Plant in Kananga, Leyte, after the facility reached the end of its operational lifespan.
“We will be conducting site feasibility studies and look at various options including the potential repurposing or redevelopment of the area,” said Ryan Z. Velasco, EDC Vice-President, during a media briefing.
The company plans to decommission the Upper Mahiao plant in phases, with the initial stage scheduled for 2026 and full decommissioning expected by 2029.
Commissioned in 1996, the Upper Mahiao facility was the first geothermal project in the Philippines developed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme. EDC took over the plant’s operations in 2006, and it has since remained a key component of the country’s geothermal infrastructure.
The plant forms part of EDC’s Unified Leyte geothermal complex, which also includes the 232-MW Malitbog, 180 MW Mahanagdong, and 51 MW optimisation plants. Together, these facilities play a crucial role in sustaining geothermal generation in the region.
As the renewable energy arm of Lopez-led First Gen Corp., EDC has an installed capacity of 1,388.8 MW, accounting for roughly 20% of the Philippines’ total renewable energy capacity. Since its establishment in 1976, EDC has developed geothermal power facilities across Bicol, Leyte, Negros Island, and Mindanao, positioning itself as a major player in the nation’s clean energy transition.
To strengthen its geothermal portfolio, EDC has earmarked up to ₱30 billion (approx. US$510 million) for the drilling of 40 new wells by 2026, supporting both capacity expansion and long-term sustainability in the sector.