SOLAR POWER. Francis Sayre, chief operations officer of the Sta. Clara Power Corporation, presents the development plan for the proposed solar project in Paoay town, Ilocos Norte province. Initially, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources identified at least 200 hectares of government lot which is feasible for the project. (Photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – Another 200-megawatt solar project is eyed along the vast sand dunes area of Paoay town in Ilocos Norte province.
While seeking a resolution of support for the conduct of exploration from members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Monday, Francis Sayre, chief operations officer of the Sta. Clara Power Corporation (SCPC), said the proposed solar farm is more than twice as large as the newly-inaugurated Currimao 2 solar project in Barangay Paguludan-Salindeg in neighboring Currimao town.
Based on an initial meeting with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Sayre said at least 200 hectares of government lot have been identified as "feasible" for the solar project.
“As we are expanding in the portfolio, we hope that you will allow us to explore and conduct a feasibility study. Hopefully, it will materialize in the next few months,” Sayre told the Ilocos Norte board as he noted that a portion of the sand dunes of Paoay which is not a part of the province’s tourism masterplan for development could be one of the best locations to harness electricity from the sun.
Under the proposed development plan, the company will install 490,000 solar panels which can generate at least 550 watts each.
As one of the emerging forces in the Philippines’ power sector business, the SCPC, a subsidiary of the Sta. Clara Group of Companies, is currently engaged in various hydropower and solar energy plants in the provinces of Mindoro, Bohol and Ifugao.
The national government has been pushing for the development of renewable energy, which is now a priority of many businesses in the Philippines.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), every dollar invested in the clean energy transition provides three to eight times the return. But profit is not the only motivation for investing in renewable energy as it can also ensure a steady supply of electricity.
In Ilocos Norte, established solar farms in the towns of Currimao and Burgos have been helping in reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuel, with over 250-megawatt expected output from independent power producers. (PNA)
