RE firm offers 131-MW clean power for Palawan

Manila Times
November 12, 2014 9:00 pm
by RITCHIE A. HORARIO REPORTER

RENEWABLE energy (RE) firm AQA Global Power Inc. (AGPI) on Wednesday said its hydropower projects in Palawan will help address a projected spike in energy demand brought about by a booming tourism industry.
Miguelito Alberto Achurra, AGPI president, said that since Palawan expects an influx of tourists after it was named the Best Island in the World by Conde Nast Traveler, power supply must complement the exponential growth of its tourism industry.
AQA Global Power said it has already secured permits to build more than a hundred megawatts of hydropower plants in Palawan to help ensure sufficient power supply for the province.
With nearly 131 megawatts (MW) of RE contracts recently signed and approved by the Department of Energy (DOE), AGPI believes that these RE projects can contribute to further develop Palawan’s tourism industry.
Achurra said the company’s interest in electricity generation will signal the island’s venture into greening its energy sources.
He noted that the people’s strong support for environmentalism and protection of natural resources are already enough to conclude that RE will be a viable power solution for Palawan’s energy needs.
The company’s RE service contracts in the province are the 12MW Hydroelectric power (HEP) in Marangas River in Bataraza, 12MW HEP in Sologon River at Brook’s Point, 8MW HEP in Busuanga River 1, 20MW HEP in Illian River Kaliwa in Dumaran, 12MW in Ilian River Kanan in Dumaran, 8MW HEP in Estrella River in Narra.
The other projects are the 12MW HEP in Bato-bato River Kaliwa in Narra, 10MW HEP in Malasgao Kaliwa in Narra, 12MW HEP in Inaguan River in Puerto Princesa City, 10MW HEP in Culasian River in Rizal, and the 15MW HEP in Bara bakan River 1 in Roxas.
In a recent dialogue with Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Rodriguez Bayron, AGPI executives highlighted the different energy interests of the company, which can support the need of the booming city.
AGPI expressed willingness to contribute in developing the island’s RE sources to help fulfill the Palaweno’s dream of a sustainable future founded on green and alternative energy sources.
AGPI also has RE contracts in Lanao del Sur, which was signed and approved by the DOE in September. source