MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Energy has identified 22 prospective sites that can be developed by interested investors to produce the much needed additional power capacity using ocean energy resources.
The DOE said it was promoting Philippine ocean resources, which could generate as much as 170,000 megawatts, following the commercialization of ocean energy in other countries. Tapping the ocean as an energy resource involves emerging technologies that use the power of temperature difference, waves and tides to create energy.
These specified areas, the government agency added, hold ocean thermal and tidal energy potential.
Documents from the DOE identified 14 ocean thermal energy potential sites: San Vicente, Ilocos Sur; Agno, Pangasinan; Palauig, Zambales; Mananao, Mindoro; San Jose, Antique; Manukan, Misamis Occidental; Omosmarata, Basilan; Palaui Island, Cagayan; Dijohan Pt., Bulacan; Mascasco, Masbate; Batag Island, Northern Samar; San Francisco, Surigao del Norte; Lamon Pt., Surigao del Sur, and Lacaron, Davao del Sur.
The DOE has also identified eight potential ocean tidal energy sites, which included the Hinatuan Passage, Bohol/Taliban Strait, Surigao Strait, Gaboc Strait, Basiao Channel, San Bernardino Strait, Basilan Strait and San Juanico Strait.
“Further, a study undertaken by the Oceanographic Co. of Norway showed that ocean wave energy has an enormous potential capacity on Batanes Islands, Cagayan, Polilio Islands in Aurora and Bolinao in Pangasinan,” the DOE added.
However, the development of ocean energy is capital extensive as references have indicated that a 100-MW project would require a $250-million investment.
Assistant Energy Secretary Mario Marasigan said the Philippines was even “lucky to have two proponents in ocean/marine energy... [which] are energy projects involving emerging technologies.”
US firm Deep Ocean Power Philippines Inc. is currently conducting studies in at least 36 sites covering 21,000 hectares in Ilocos, Pangasinan, Zambales, Mindoro, Isabela, Panay, Negros, Samar, Leyte and some parts of Mindanao, for possible ocean power sources. However, its efforts were expected to be focused primarily on Occidental Mindoro and Antique, the DOE said.
Earlier this year, Bell Pirie Power Corp. was also awarded a renewable energy service contract for a planned 5-MW Cabagan ocean energy project in Zambales.
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