Frequent brownouts will soon be a thing of the past for the people of Western Visayas with the pouring in of renewable and bio-energy projects in the region.
According to Gil Altura, chief of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Project Development Investment Programming and Budgeting Division, the Department of Energy (DOE) has declared Region VI as laboratory for bio energy and renewable fuels.
In the next 10 years Western Visayas is projected to be "the country’s front runner in bio fuels and renewable energy mix," Altura reported.
The NEDA in its Regional Development Agenda (RDA) has enumerated several com-pleted and on-going projects relative to the thrust.
Four hydropower projects already completed are the 40-kilowatt (kw) Canauilan-Barasalon Micro in Janiauy, Iloilo; 32 kw Balea Micro Hydro in Calatrava, 32-kw Vergra-Magtuod Micro Hydro and the 21-kw Baclao Micro Hydro in Cauayan all in Negros Occidental.
These completed micro hydro projects are assisted by the Central Philippine University- Affiliated Non-conventional Energy Center/Japan International Cooperation Agency (CPU-ANEC/JICA), Preferred Energy Inc and Japan Fund Poverty Reduction.
A 15-kw project also by the said group is now on-going in Sebaste, Antique.
On the other hand, the 8-megawatt Villasiga Hydro in Bugasong and 2.1 mw Guiamon-San Ramon Hydro in Laua-an all in Antique are being undertaken by the Sunwest Water and Electric Company (SUWECO).
A second level scooping was completed for the Jalaur-River Multi-Purpose Project proposed by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). It is expected to generate some 14-mw.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) for hydro power exploration was also inked between the Conal Holdings/Alto Power Management Corporation and the local government units of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental for the proposed 40-mw Bago River Power Plant.
The 21-mw biomass plant of the First Farmers Holding Corporation Co-Gen Power Plant was already commissioned. While waiting for the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on the supply agreement between the generator and the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) the FFHC exports its power to Cebu.
Also operational is the 15 –mw Passi Co-Gen Power Plant by the Central Azucarera de San Antonio.
Still on the biomass power there is an on-going site preparation for the 15-mw Cabalabaguan Biomass in Mina, Iloilo and 17-mw Biomass Plant embedded at the Capiz Electric Cooperative (CAPELCO) in Capiz by the Green Power Panay Philippines, Inc.
The Asea One Power Corporation has already acquired a site for its 12-mw Agbanawan Biomass Plant in Banga, Aklan. The acquisition is still on-going for the 30-mw plant to be situated in Ajuy, Iloilo.
For the wind power, Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation has an on-going 54-mw San Lorenzo Wind Farm project in San Lorenzo, Guimaras.
The San Carlos Bioenergy, which is the country’s first sugarcane based ethanol by the Bronzeoak, is now operating in San Carlos, Negros Occidental while another bio-ethanol plant by the Roxol Bioenergy Corp. based in La Carlota also in Negros Occidental is expected to be operational soon.
The Energy Develop-ment Corporation (EDC) also re-commissioned its 10-mw Northern Negros Geothermal Project in Bago City and Murcia while it also has an on-going 30-mw Northern Negros Steam Augmentation Project at the buffer zone of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.
During a previous interview, NEDA director Ro-Ann Bacal said that there will be some changes in the priorities of the region and one of which is to ensure not only a stable but cheaper power supply to attract more investments in Western Visayas. (PNA) /MP
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