PNoy in Negros Occidental

SAN CARLOS CITY, Philippines — President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III yesterday opened the first large-scale, commercially-financed and commissioned solar power plant in the country to address the power supply needs in the Visayas.

Aquino lead the ceremonial switch-on of the 22-megawatt power plant, which costs P1.2 billion, of  the San Carlos Solar Energy Inc. (SACASOL).

Only the first phase of the project, which was 13-MW, was inaugurated  while the second phase or the 9-MW facility will open next month.

Once the plant is completed, SACASOL is expected to supply the Visayas grid, which will cover the power needs of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, and Iloilo provinces.

Aquino said the Philippines is now closer to the goal of having a more diverse energy mix that is able to meet the country’s needs.

He said: “Investments in power are meaningful since it enliven the local economies and provide honest, decent sources of livelihood; they add to the energy mix and help ensure a more steady supply of power; and they point to the promise of future growth for the community, the region, and the country.”

Further, he said that “the success of SACASOL dovetails perfectly with our administration’s goal of having a more diverse energy mix, which is able to meet our country’s needs—thus redounding to a more consistent energy supply. For the year 2013, the average available capacity of the Visayas Grid stood at 1,678 MW. Average peak demand was at 1,390 MW.”

Renewable energy is still the most expensive component, he said. “It follows that if our entire energy mix is derived from renewable sources, then the price of electricity—which people are already complaining about today—will rise even more. Government therefore has to strike a balance between this, and our desire to attract more investments in renewable energy,” he said.

Aquino said that “more power plants are underway for the Visayas Grid alone, with most slated for commissioning from this year until 2016: from traditional energy sources, to geothermal, to hydropower, to wind, to biomass, making for an incoming committed capacity of 591.60 MW.”

The president added that “Investments like this are what our country needs.”

Meanwhile, Aquino also inaugurated the P335 million Himogaan  Bridge and the P313-million access road in Sagay City, Negros Occidental. (FREEMAN)