Mirae Energy inaugurates Ilocos solar plant

February 9, 2016 10:01 pm  by Aberon Voltaire Palaña

http://www.manilatimes.net/mirae-energy-inaugurates-ilocos-solar-plant/244022/

MIRAE Asia Energy Corp. (Mirae) inaugurated on Tuesday its 20-megawatt solar generation facility in Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

The project will make a significant contribution to meet the energy demand in the Philippines by using solar as a clean and cost competitive alternative energy source to coal, the company said.

The 20-MW plant is designed to produce 33,000 MWh of solar power per year, or equivalent to powering an estimated 29,328 households annually based on the average annual electricity consumption per electrified household by the World Energy Council.

The country can also save an estimated 31.2 million liters of water from the project, based on the water consumption impact for solar and coal electricity generation by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and 16,566 tonnes of GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions, or the equivalent of taking approximately 3,500 cars off the road per annum.

The project has driven economic growth in Ilocos Norte, creating substantial local employment opportunities, according to Mirae chairman Anthony J. Violago.

“The project is thankful to have the support of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, particularly Governor Imee Marcos, and the Municipality of Currimao. We are happy to be able to contribute clean and sustainable energy to this community and create additional employment opportunities for its constituents,” Violago said.

In addition, he said that Mirae has committed to a significant corporate social responsibility program in order to support local communities in the province and municipality to help improve health, infrastructure and education and make significant investments in new tree planting.

The project was developed through a partnership between San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Inc. (SLRB) and Soleq, one of Southeast Asia’s largest independent solar utility generation platforms.

SLRB pioneered the construction of the $680 million Casecnan hydropower project that allowed farmers in Nueva Ecija to plant throughout the year, even during an El Nino phenomenon. It also irrigates 137,000 new hectares of rice land and produces 150 MW of hydropower.

Meanwhile, Soleq has successfully constructed and commissioned 12 projects across Thailand and the Philippines and has a significant development portfolio. Soleq is an Equis-invested company.