Solar power plant to rise in Ilocos Norte

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  â€“ Officials from two towns of Ilocos Norte have signed an agreement with a Korean company to build the country’s biggest solar power plant in the province.

Badoc and Vintar town officials, along with executives of the Korean firm EC Cobuy Philippines, Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the construction of a 20-megawatt solar power plant to boost the province’s power supply.

Badoc town Vice Mayor Thomas Torralba, representing his wife, incumbent Mayor Arlene Torralba, and ECCPI chief executive officer and vice president Stephen Chae signed the MOU in a ceremony at the town hall.

Koreans Young Sub Lee, Yun Soo Song, Jung Won Han, Hyun Soo Gwon, Dong Seop Sin, Guen Sun Yong, Ho Seop Sin, all of the ECCPI, and ECCPI president Lorena Chae witnessed the signing, along with local officials and municipal employees.

A similar MOU signing was also held in Vintar town led by Mayor Jose Foronda and the ECCPI officials.

While the two towns are looking for the location of the solar power plant, the ECCPI takes care of the construction and provides the materials for the project.

The ECCPI is currently securing clearance from the Department of Energy (DOE) for the project, which is set to start in October.

It will initially invest at least $70 million for the construction of the project.

The province is host to the largest wind power project in Southeast Asia - the Bangui Bay windmills – which, aside from providing power in Ilocos Norte, has become a major tourist attraction.