Pagudpud wind farm is back online

posted March 07, 2016 at 11:10 pm by Alena Mae S. Flores
http://thestandard.com.ph/business/201172/pagudpud-wind-farm-is-back-online.html

The 81-megawatt Caparispisan wind power project in Pagudud, Ilocos Norte resumed delivering power to consumers, after its operator built temporary towers to connect the plant to the Luzon grid.

“It’s back online as of Feb. 26 using temporary towers,” AC Energy Holdings Inc. president John Eric Francia said. The project was disconnected from the power grid, after explosives toppled two transmission towers on Feb. 19.

AC Energy, the energy arm of Ayala Corp., owns 36 percent of North Luzon Renewable Energy Corp., which operates the wind farm. DGA NLREC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corp. owns 28 percent while Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure, a P26-billion fund composed of the Government Service Insurance System, APG and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd., owns 32 percent. UPC Philippines Wind Holdco I B.V. has the remaining 4 percent.

The Caparispisan wind farm is the second largest wind project in Ilocos Norte.

North Luzon Renewable said that in the early morning of Feb. 19, two transmission towers in Barangay Tadao, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte were toppled. The towers are located outside the wind farm facility.

Initial investigations showed that explosives were used to take down the transmission towers. No one claimed responsibility over the attack, which caused no fatalities or injuries.

“NLR will continue to work with local and national law enforcement agencies, as well as the local government, to continue investigating this incident,” North Luzon Renewable said.

“NLR is working to ensure that we are connected to the grid at the soonest possible time,” it said.

North Luzon Renewable completed the 81-MW wind farm on Nov. 11, 2014.