DOE sees 7 renewable energy projects okayed by September

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy’s ongoing review of 384 applications for renewable energy (RE) projects could yield approval for at least seven major solar and wind projects by September.

The pending applications for RE projects could mean an additional 6,046.45 megawatts (MW) of power capacity to the country’s national grid, import savings of at least $96 million yearly, and additional tax revenues worth an estimated P460 million annually.

Among the solar projects for approval are the Kirahon solar power project (Cagayan Electric Power & Light Co.), Pasuquin-Burgos solar power project (Energy Logics Philippines) and the Macabud, Rodriguez, Rizal solar power project (ATN Philippines Solar Energy Group).

The wind projects are the Sagada wind power project (Philcarbon Inc), North Pasuquin wind power project (Energy Logics), Mt. Redondo wind power project (Energy Logics), Burgos 2, Basud, Mercedes and Daet wind power projects (First Gen Renewables).

Meanwhile, the bulk of the pending proposals is for hydropower development with 191 pending applications totaling 3,592.87 MW, followed by solar with 70 applications for projects totaling 537 MW.

There are 59 applications for wind power development equivalent to 1,431 MW of power. Ocean energy has 21 applications equivalent to 60 MW while 15 proposals were filed for geothermal power development totaling 230 MW.

The government has awarded 236 projects with total capacity of 2,822 MW under the Renewable Energy Law of 2008, of which more than half are hydro projects with a capacity of 797 MW.

Forty-six wind projects were awarded with a capacity of 936 MW while 40 biomass projects with a capacity of 447 MW received government approval.

Twenty-one geothermal projects with a capacity of 606 MW, three ocean contracts of five MW total capacity, and two solar projects with a combined 31 MW capacity were also awarded renewable energy service contracts.

The biggest projects per technology resource are: Pan Pacific Renewable Power Phils. Corp.’s 600-MW project in Apayao (hydro); CoastalPower Development Corp.’s 420-MW project in Sorsogon (wind); Jobin-Sqm Inc.’s 100-MW project in Zambales (solar); Eoil and Gas Co. Inc.’s 60-MW project in South Cotabato (geothermal); and Green Power Bukidnon Philippines Inc.’s 35-MW project in Bukidnon (biomass).