"We have been proposing the transfer of the two remaining phases, 40 megawatt (MW) each, to Visayas and Mindanao," PNOC-EDC chairman and president Sergio Apostol said.
Apostol said these areas are projected to experience shortages of power in the near future. "We need to address this problem. The wind power project may be one of the solutions to the projected power shortage," he said.
Energy officials have warned that though there is an excess capacity of 1,253 MW as of end-2001, Luzon will succumb to power interruptions in 2008. The Mindanao and Visayas power problem will come at an earlier date of 2005 if the government will not do something about the projected 7,150-MW additional installed capacity needed in the next 10 years.
Among the areas being considered as possible sites for the two remaining phases of the wind power project are: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao, and Cebu.
According to the wind mapping study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the United States, the Philippines has a potential capacity for wind power of about 70,000 MW.
The Wind Energy Resources Atlas of the Philippines, prepared by the NREL, has identified possible sites for wind power projects aside from Ilocos Norte. These areas include Batanes; Busuanga and Cuyo Islands in Palawan; Casiguran and Polilio Islands in Quezon; Lubang Island in Mindoro Oriental; Marinduque; Masbate and Siquijor. Best wind resources are also found in Babuyan Island, Mindoro, Samar, Leyte, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Eastern Mindanao and adjacent islands.
Early last month, at least six Japanese firms indicated plans to bid for the first phase of the EDC wind power project amounting to $40 million.
Apostol identified only three of the six interested bidders. These are: Sumitono Corp, Mitsubishi Corp. and Marubeni Corp.
Japanese firms, he said, are expected to participate in the bidding since the first stage of the project is funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
The EDC chief said they expect the bidding to start in the first quarter of 2003. "We are still waiting for the pre-qualification papers being readied by JBIC. This could be finalized by early next year," he said.
While waiting for the approval of the pre-qualification standards being drawn up by JBIC, he said they are preparing the feasibility study for the second phase of the wind project and expect to finish it by the first quarter of 2003.
In October 2002, PNOC-EDC signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Aboitiz group for the construction of the $40-million second phase of the total $120-million wind power project.
The Dutch government’s financial assistance group, DANIDA, and the Spanish government have also proposed to finance the second phase of the project.
The EDC is expected to raise another $35 million to $40 million for the third phase of the wind project.