San Carlos wind energy project put on hold

MANILA, Philippines - The 30-megawatt (MW) San Carlos Wind Energy Project is put on hold due to lack of financing, according to a report by the Department of Energy (DOE).

The DOE said the San Carlos Wind Power Corp. (SCWPC)’s wind farm project should have been part of the potential 169 MW wind energy development in Negros Occidental.

The 30-MW project was supposed to be part of a 70-MW wind farm in Don Salvador, Benedicto, Negros Occidental Region VI has over 700 MW wind energy resource potential.

The 70MW wind farm, estimated to cost $140 million, was apparently the second phase of the San Carlos wind project. The first phase involved the development of a 30MW wind farm around the three peaks of Mount Malindog, Brgy. Prosperidad and Linubagan, San Carlos City.

SCWPC, established in 2003, is a member of Smithbell group of companies to undertake the development and implementation of the wind farm.

Earlier reports had it that the company was then trying to close financing for the first phase of the project with the Danish International Development Agency (Danida) in 2006.

Based on the company’s plan, Danida was supposed to fund bulk of the $55 million funding for the first phase of the project. 

Danida also funded the construction of the country’s first wind farm in Bangui Bay, Ilocos Norte.

Smith Bell started monitoring the wind speeds in San Carlos in 2004. The wind study revealed an expected gross generation outcome of between 75 to 80 million kilowatthour per annum, equal to the consumption of around 150,000 households in the country.

The Philippines has been found to have a potential wind power of 76,600 MW leading other wind power producing countries like Germany (14,000 MW potential wind power), Spain and US (6,000 MW each), Denmark (3,000 MW) and India (2,100 MW).