Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jose Rene Almendras told reporters that China has offered to fund a full wind study in the Philippines using a new technology it has developed.
“Actually they want me to go to China to discuss it…But we are not yet set [as] it is still under discussion,” he said.
The proposal, should talks between the government and its Chinese counterpart prosper, would update the country’s existing wind map that was completed using satellite-based technology.
This in turn would lessen the investment risk of those looking to put up wind farms in the country, especially with the passage of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. This law, which grants fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to proponents of such clean and indigenous energy sources, has spurred investor interest in the power sector.
Government and industry studies have pegged the country’s wind power generating potential at 76,600 megawatts over a 10,000-square kilometer area.
The country, however, has only developed barely a fraction of this because of the relatively high investment costs compared with other renewable energy sources.
The 33-megawatt Northwind Bangui Bay power plant in northern Luzon is the Philippines’ lone wind power facility.
China, on the other hand, is the biggest market for wind turbines in the region. Its annual wind power capacity has doubled each year over the last four years. In 2009, it had a total wind generating capacity of 2,600 megawatts.
“Whether it would be done on a government to government agreement, or whether they would be coming in as investors—of course they are always welcome. Because we need inventory to lessen the investment risk of the private sector,” Mario Marasigan, DOE assistant secretary, said.
Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo
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