Largest solar power plant erected in CDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines  – Experts never stop looking for what they consider as alternative sources of electric power supply that are sustainable and, most of all, renewable and environment-friendly considering the sky-rocketing of prices fossil-based fuel feared to be exhausted in near future.

One of these salient sources is the sun's light. Its immense energy said to be the source of all living things on earth prompted them to tap this endless source through new technology. Thus, the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO) has earmarked its resources and, at the same time, tapping other sources to construct the "first in the country" and largest solar electric plant in hilly barangay Indahag of this highly-urbanized capital city of Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao.

In a recent ocular visit by this writer, the concrete but low-fenced power plant can be very visible outside along the highway that anybody may take photos. This writer tried to have an interview with a certain Engr. Oliver G. Labues, in-charge of the plant, but he was out of his office. 

Responding to the demand for more power supply as the city power consumers are growing considering it has now two separate congressional districts, the company also planning to construct another 10-megawatt solar power plant in a 30-hectare solar park land located in nearby municipality of Villanueva, where part of the Phividec estate and the limestone sintering plant is located. "The project would be constructed over a period of at least five years and would use the best availablesolar technology in the market. It is expected to supply at least 14 million kWh ofelectricity annually to its distribution network."

The solar power plant in CDO produces one-megawatt power supply to some 900 residential customers served by CEPALCO.

It is on-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with one-MW polycrystalline silicon-based PV that is linked to the distribution network of the CEPALCO. It has already completed its third year of commercial operations following its commissioning September 26, 2004.

The PV plant squatting ina two-hectare lot has a total of 6,500 solar panels that generates a total of 4,169,100 KWH with an annual average energy generation of 1,389,700 KWH. The Japanese Sumitomo Corp-built plant is funded by an amount of US$5.3 million and through fund from Global Environment Facility (GEF) assisted by the World Bank and International Monetary fund (IMF). GEF fund is a loan that may become a grant after five years of successful operations, it was learned.

Advantages of solar energy are seen to solve the increasing demand and power requirements of the consumers. Developing Solar energy is said to be the fastest technology that can be utilized to address power shortage. It is also considered the cheapest alternative than fossil-based power generation in the long run and solar "is the only technology that can realize upstream and downstream local jobs." And it can complement other sources to fill the gap of insufficiency power supply. (FREEMAN)