SOLAR FARM. Aside from windmills, solar farms such as this in Currimao town abound in Ilocos Norte province. More of this kind are expected to get connected to the Luzon grid to boost renewable energy supply. (Photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte province's renewable energy production will be amplified as another 95-megawatt (MW) solar project is up to supply clean energy.
In a joint report of the Provincial Board’s committees on environment and natural resources and on laws, rules, ethics, and privileges, Board Member Rafael Salvador Medina on Monday said the solar project in Barangays Tanap and Agaga in Burgos town, Ilocos Norte has been given the green light to connect to the Luzon grid.
“Upon review of the Municipal Resolution No. 2022-130 of the municipality of Burgos, the joint committees hereby recommend that said resolution endorsing the exploration, assessment, harnessing, development, utilization, and commercialization of the 95-MW solar project is declared valid,” he said.
Consisting of 279,410 solar panels, each panel can produce 340 watts. The area occupies 235.27 hectares within the 1,092.16 forest land use agreement entered into between the Energy Logics Philippines, Inc. (ELPI) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Both the national and provincial governments support the project to provide an alternative and viable energy supply that can compete with the existing high energy prices in the market.
In 2011, the Philippine government granted Energy Logics the exclusive right to develop the Ilocos Norte solar power project and the Burgos-Pasuquin east wind project as indicated in the solar energy service contract no. 2011-12-2003.
The start of the solar project however has been delayed pending the issuance of endorsement resolutions and due to the pandemic.
Initially, Energy Logics planned to establish a 132-megawatt wind farm in Burgos and a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Pasuquin, also in Ilocos Norte.
The solar project however was relocated to Tanap village in Burgos and it will be expanded to neighboring Pasuquin town in the future. (PNA)
