Singapore’s Vena Energy rides on RE wave in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Vena Energy said it is committed to supporting the government’s renewable energy goals.

The Philippines has been promoting renewables through various mechanisms such as the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) and the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) which are all meant to encourage more investments into renewable energy.

Vena Energy, a Singapore-based renewable energy company operating in the Asia-Pacific region, said “it is very optimistic in its support of these goals.”

Meanwhile, amid issues surrounding its Rizal wind power project, Vena Energy said it “followed proper procedures” for its wind study outside the Masungi Georeserve conservation area in Rizal province.

The firm assured the public that it continues to maintain “an open dialogue” with stakeholders and is willing to work with concerned parties.

“Vena Energy ensures that in every project, it adheres to all government regulations and mandatory testing and compliance,” the company said in a statement.

Among the permits Vena said it obtained are the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), a Certificate of Registration by the Board of Investments and a Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to Conduct Studies and a Certification Precondition for Studies by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

Moreover, several clearances were issued allowing the conduct of studies in the area from the Protected Area Management Boards of Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve and from the Presidential Proclamation 1636.

The FPIC was the result of an “extensive process of consultations with indigenous peoples communities, elders and chieftains of both ancestral domains,” resulting in signed Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) and issued Certification Precondition by the NCIP, the company said.

Vena Energy also said consultations with the DENR were conducted among the host barangays and communities in Tanay and Antipolo, which was also attended by various stakeholders including representatives from the local government units of Antipolo and Tanay.

“In these consultations, the company has advised DENR and various stakeholders that it is not building in the karst area of Bgy. Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal,” it said.

Caretakers of the Masungi Georeserve conservation area have called for the revocation of Vena Energy’s permits and clearances.

The conservation area encompassing the provinces of Rizal, Quezon, Laguna and Bulacan was declared a national park, wildlife sanctuary and game preserve by the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems (E-NIPAS) Law in 1977.

Vena currently has five operating solar plants in the Philippines, alongside the 54 megawatts Pililla Wind Farm in Rizal.