DOE to speed up signing of pending renewable-energy projects

Business Mirror
SUNDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2011 19:16 PAUL ANTHONY A. ISLA / REPORTER


THE Department of Energy (DOE) is looking into accelerating the approval of the pending renewable-energy (RE) contracts, Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. told reporters.
The DOE official said in an interview the signing and release of the pending RE contracts is under way.


Layug said he has already signed five RE contracts that involved large hydropower and run-of-river hydropower facilities, which he has endorsed for signing to Energy Secretary Jose Almendras.


“In May we were anticipating 61 contracts. But now we expect a faster pace in signing and releasing these contract,” Layug said.


The DOE also said it has yet to award or approve the 384 pending RE project applications.


It said 191 of the 384 pending applications involve hydropower projects, 70 for solar, 59 for wind, 28 for biomass, 21 for ocean energy and 15 for geothermal projects.


The projects have a potential to generate 6,046.45 megawatt (MW) of electricity.


The biggest projects per technology resource are Pan Pacific Renewable Power Philippines Corp.’s 600-MW project in Apayao hydropower project; Coastal Power Development Corp.’s 420-MW wind power project in Sorsogon; Jobin-Sqm Inc.’s 100-MW solar power project in Zambales; Eoil and Gas Co. Inc.’s 60-MW geothermal power project in South Cotabato; and Green Power Bukidnon Philippines Inc.’s 35-MW biomass power plant project in Bukidnon.


As of July 4, a DOE report showed 236 contracts have already been awarded to RE developers, which have the potential to generate 2,822.97 MW of electricity.


It added that 164 of the 236 contracts are currently on predevelopment stages, while 72 are on development stages.


On a per technology basis, the DOE said it has awarded a total of 124 contracts for hydropower, three for ocean energy, 21 for geothermal, 46 for wind, two for solar and 40 for biomass.


It added that hydropower projects continue to top the list with 124 contracts being awarded, followed by wind at 46; biomass, 40; geothermal, 21; ocean energy, 3; and solar, 2.