RP launches first wind power project in Ilocos, largest in SEA

The Philippines is set to inaugurate next week its first-ever wind power generating project at Bangui, Ilocos Norte, considered the largest wind power project in Southeast Asia.

"The 24.75-megawatt wind power plant in Bangui Bay establishes a high point in our search for renewable source of power. The wind farm is the largest wind farm project in Southeast Asia," Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said.

The energy department, he said, has four more wind-powered plants in the pipeline and 11 more sites up for grabs.

The Bangui plant is composed of 15 towers with an installed capacity of 1.65-MW wind turbines generator per tower, which will be connected to the national grid.

"That underlines the potential for several other sites that we have all over the country, which also have the potential for wind farming," Lotilla added.

Financing for the wind power project sites are available through multilateral sources or domestic sources, which include sovereign guarantees.

The Bangui Bay project involves a joint venture company composed of Filipino and Danish investors with funding from the Danish International Development Agency (Danida) worth $29.35 million.

It is guaranteed by the Philippine Export-Import Credit Agency (PhilEXIM).

The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has financing packages under its Wind Energy Financing Program, Renewable Energy Project Preparation Revolving Fund, the Rural Power Project for Type-A and Type-B Beneficiaries, and other initiatives.

The United Nations Development Programme Global Environmental Facility (UNDP-GEF) is also offering assistance in project preparation and in securing loan guarantee for these projects.

Already in the pipeline are three sites in Marinduque, Baleno in Masbate, and in Tablas, Romblon with a combined 30-MW capacity to be operated by the Philippine Hybrid Energy Systems Inc.

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corp. was also awarded a contract for a potential 30-MW wind project in Sual, Pangasinan, along with a 25-MW wind farm project in San Carlos, Negros Occidental run by the San Carlos Wind Power Corp.

Companies interested in the remaining 11 sites can secure the pre-commercial contracts with the Department of Energy (DOE).

The energy department launched the first wind power contracting round that offered the 16 wind sites early this year. But the concept and studies were undertaken several years back with the aid of the United States government.