Italian government affirms support for tapping renewable energy in PhL
Signs MOA for wind power project in Or. Mindoro
CALAPAN CITY – The Italian government, through Ambassador Luca Fornari, has promised to fully support the utilization of renewable energy in the Philippines as it acknowledged the huge power potential of Oriental Mindoro during the recent signing of the memorandum of agreement for the construction of Phase 1 of the 48-megawatt wind power project in the said province.
“Our (Italian) government is wishing that more investors will pour their resources in the development of renewable energy in the Philippines.” Ambassador Fornari said as he led national and local government officials and other stakeholders in the said wind power project in its official MOA signing and awarding ceremony held at Makati Shangrila in Makati last May 30.
The phase 1 of the project, a construction and laying of foundation for facility which totals to 16 megawatts of renewable wind energy and will cost to about P2-billion, will commence on June 30 in the town of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.
According to its main proponent, 1st District Congressman Rodolfo G. Valencia, the wind power project is so far, the biggest renewable energy undertaking in the whole Mindoro Island and this signals Oriental Mindoro becoming the new “power basket” in the country.
Aside from the wind project, renewable energy projects such as hydro-electric power tapping water resources, gas, and coal energy are now being developed for full electricity potential in Oriental Mindoro. Congressman Valencia stated that once the project is completed, the P13 per kilowatt-hour being presently charged from electric consumers in the province will be lowered to an estimated P6.50 per kilowatt.
The phase of the project will be mainly managed by Philippine Hybrid Energy Systems, Inc, a private company with Italian link that handles electric transmission grid projects and specializes in operating electric transmission stations and power plants from hydro power plant to wind farms.
The $44-million or almost P2-billion project is envisioned to be the “most modern and most efficient wind power in the Philippines.
According to the explanation of PHESI officials Armando De Rossi and Nicanor Villaseñor, there will only be some 10-15% of the total project cost will be allotted to its maintenance cost. And once the project become successful, Oriental Mindoro is estimated to reach a total electric generating capacity of 260 megawatts.
During the signing, another MOA signatory, the Department of Energy (DOE), which was represented by Undersecretary Iris Aseric, commended Oriental Mindoro officials and the men from the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ormeco) for always harnessing renewable and clean energy in their area.(By JUANCHO R. MAHUSAY)
