MANILA : The Philippines has bought its first-ever liquefied natural gas cargo, which will be delivered this month, bound for a new terminal that will fuel a 1,200-megawatt power plant, global energy trader Vitol said on Monday.
Faced with declining output from its Malampaya natural gas field, the Philippines is the newest LNG buyer in the region as it seeks alternative fuel supply for existing gas-fired power plants producing more than 3,000 MW, including San Miguel Global's 1,200-MW Ilijan power plant. "This is a significant milestone and we look forward to bringing more LNG supply from around the world to meet the rising gas demand of the Philippines," said Vitol Asia president Mike Muller.
Ilijan's power output is expected to significantly augment the country's generation capacity in the face of rapidly increasing post-pandemic demand, Vitol said.