Energy declares 2 wind farms viable

Manila Standard Today

By Alena Mae S. Flores  Posted on May 20, 2013 at 12:01am

The Energy Department declared two major wind energy projects in Luzon commercially viable, allowing their proponents to proceed with commercial development.

The agency issued certificate of confirmation of commerciality to the 87-megawatt Burgos wind project in Ilocos Norte and the 67.5-MW wind power project in Pililla, Rizal.

The confirmation of commerciality, a requirement under the Renewable Energy Act, means the agency found the project viable for commercial development and serves as the basis for the project to enter the development and commercial stage of the contract.

Energy Development Corp., a unit of First Gen Corp., received the certificate of confirmation of commerciality, for its $300-million Burgos wind project.

The certificate was the first to be issued for a wind project.  It confirmed the declaration of commerciality for EDC Burgos Wind Power Corp. to develop, construct, operate and maintain the wind power project.

It also converted Burgos Wind’s wind energy service contract No. 2009-09-004 from exploration/pre-development stage to the development/commercial stage.

“This milestone affirms our efforts to pursue and fast-track the project in order to be the first to achieve commercial operations by 2014.  Our recently closed $80-million club loan plus P7 billion we raised brings our total cash to P19 billion.  We have, without a doubt, a fully funded business plan,” EDC president and chief operating officer Richard Tantoco said.

Alternergy Wind One Corp. also received the confirmation of commerciality for the 67.5-MW wind power project in Pililla, Rizal.  “We are ready to commence construction of the Pililla wind farm. Our technical team has thoroughly laid down the site planning, logistics and engineering to deliver the wind farm in the most-timely manner,” Alternergy Wind One president Vincent  Perez said.

EDC broke ground for the Burgos project on April 19 after signing an engineering, procurement and construction contract with Vestas, the world’s leading wind turbine manufacturer, on March 1. The project will utilize the proven Vestas 90-3.0-MW wind turbines.

“We have the distinction of having over seven years of accurate wind data so we are absolutely certain of our site and the wind resource.  Because of this, we are rapidly taking all necessary steps to increase the capacity of the Burgos wind project from 87MW to 150MW,” Tantoco added.   source