EPI starts development of Subic RE projects

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino-owned renewable energy company Emerging Power Inc. (EPI) has started the development of its multi-million dollar RE projects in the Subic Special Economic Zone in Zambales.

EPI held a groundbreaking ceremony for its solar and wind power projects at Mt. Sta. Rita last Saturday.

The company would initially build the substation while the construction of the RE project would start next month, Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) vice president for corporate communication Juan Bayani Baylon said.

“Construction will begin Monday (today) on the substation to be erected next to the current SBMA substation. By October construction will begin on the solar and wind power area,” he said.

The RE projects are targeted for commissioning by June 2016, Baylon said.

EPI is majority owned by listed Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), one of the country’s biggest mining firms

The solar project will have a capacity of 100 megawatts while the wind project will have 50 MW.

These projects are part of EPI’s expansion of green energy operations through a 90-percent entry in Jobin-Sqm Inc. Located with Subic Bay Freeport. 

Aside from the wind and solar projects, EPI is also putting up a 40-MW geothermal power company in Oriental Mindoro, a 30-MW solar and bunker hybrid project in Palawan, a 10-MW solar project in Camarines Sur and a 2.5-MW biogas project in Quezon Province.

It has also recently partnered with Orka Energy of Iceland to jointly develop a geothermal power project in Biliran, Leyte.