DuPont eyes power projects in Phl expansion

SINGAPORE – DuPont, the world’s largest chemical company based in the US, is looking at the possibility of diversifying its business in the Philippines by entering into power generation projects.

Ramon Abadilla, DuPont Far East Inc. country managing director, told reporters who attended the 3rd DuPont ASEAN Media Forum here, that they are likely to put up a solar power plant to power up its new P1-billion seed production facility in Tarlac.

Abadilla, however, said the construction of the proposed solar power facility will hinge on the feed-in tariff (FIT) that would be approved by the government. Late last week, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved a FIT of P17.95 per kilowatt-hour (kwh). The FIT system allows eligible renewable energy (RE) developers to be paid with a fixed tariff for three years. The tariff level will be reviewed by the ERC after the three-year period.

According to Abadilla, the DuPont Group owns and operates DuPont Apollo in China which manufactures thin firm solar panels.

He said the solar panels they are producing are more efficient as it absorbs more light and easier to construct because of the lighter material they use.

Once they decide to push through with this project, Abadilla said they may tap potential partners to help them in the installation and construction of the power plant.

In line with this, he said DuPont is also planning to launch solar-powered pumps in the Philippine market.

Abadilla said they would introduce this product for the first time in a solar summit to be held next month.