Three groups propose wind energy projects

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY IS CONsidering to award four predevelopment service contracts for wind energy projects to three local companies should their proposals pass the government’s evaluations.

Documents from the DOE showed that these companies were Energy Development Corp., which has a planned wind project in Nagsurot, Burgos, Ilocos Norte; Northern Luzon UPC Asia Corp., in Caparispisan, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, and PetroEnergy Resources Corp. in Sual, Pangasinan, and Nabas, Aklan.

Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan said the proposals of the three companies had prequalified and were currently being evaluated by the DOE.

“If proven viable, these projects could produce at least 200 megawatts of wind power combined. EDC’s project [alone] is expected to produce 100 MW,” Marasigan said in an interview.

However, he declined to cite the expected investments from these companies, adding that the DOE was still evaluating the financial commitments of the proponents. As a rule of thumb, a company needs to invest at least $3 million for every MW of wind power.

Under a renewable energy service contract, companies will be given an initial two years under the predevelopment stage, which involves the preliminary assessment and feasibility study up to financial closing of the renewable energy project.

Meanwhile, the DOE said it was also evaluating the proposal of US-based Deep Ocean Power Philippines Inc. (Doppi)for 36 ocean thermal energy conversion projects in various sites nationwide.

Doppi’s proposals covered 910 prospective blocks or 73,710 hectares in various provinces including Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, Isabela, Aurora, Masbate, Antique, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Sulu, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Ilocos Sur, Sorsogon and Albay.

A predevelopment service contract may be awarded to Doppi should it be able to comply with the necessary requirements as specified under the Renewable Energy Law.

The country has a total untapped wind resource of 76,600 MW and ocean energy potential of 170,000 MW.

The DOE earlier said it expected to draw in as much as $27 billion in new investments from the country’s renewable energy sector over the next 20 years. This is expected to produce about 24,000 MW from various renewable energy sources such as geothermal, hydro and mini hydro, wind, solar, ocean and biomass bagasse. (inquirer.net)

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