Renewable energy projects cleared for grid impact study

By Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star) | Updated April 7, 2016 - 12:00am
http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/04/07/1570096/renewable-energy-projects-cleared-grid-impact-study

MANILA, Philippines – Renewable energy make up the list of projects cleared to conduct grid impact studies (GIS) in the first two months of 2016, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.

These projects are projected to generate 273 megawatts (MW) of power, DOE data showed.

A GIS is necessary in determining if the electricity to be generated by the power project can be absorbed by the grid.

The biggest project is SunAsia Energy Inc.’s 60-MW solar project in Toledo City, Cebu.

The company, which allotted $120 million for the project, started construction of the solar farm in late 2015.

A 50-MW solar farm will soon rise in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, spearheaded by Amatera Renewable Energy Corp.

The DOE also gave the go-signal to AES Philippines Power Partners Co. Ltd., the local unit of American energy giant AES Corp., for two 40-MW battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Laoag and Bantay, Ilocos Norte.

AES Philippines, which has been pushing for battery storage in the country, is eyeing to build about 200 to 250 MW of BESS.

Sugar miller Roxas & Co. Inc., through Roxas Green Energy Corp., also received clearance for a GIS for its 30-MW solar project in Nasugbu and Tuy in Batangas.

The only hydropower project in the list is Hedcor Benguet Inc.’s 20-MW Kabayan 1 hydroelectric power project.

Finally, the DOE gave GIS clearance to Raslag Corp.’s 13-MW solar farm in Mexico, Pampanga, V-Mars Solar Energy Corp.’s 10-MW solar power project in San Jose, Nueva Ecija and SJC Solar Power Corp.’s 10-MW solar farm in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.

Last year, the DOE gave GIS clearances to 133 projects.