First Gas Power Corp and Siemens have selected a London-based legal counsel to mediate in their dispute over delays in the completion of the Batangas gas-fired power plant. Mediation started last month.
Siemens is the equipment supplier for the 1500 MW gas-fired power plant in Batangas City. Technical problems in 1999 delayed the completion of the power units. Under the terms of the agreement between the parties any delay invokes a penalty charge.
Siemens has interests in the Philippines besides Batangas. It is expected to bid for a $550 million Leyte-Mindanao interconnection project and possibly various substation and grid upgrading schemes. Bidding for the interconnection scheme is scheduled for the first quarter of 2001.
