Ilocos Norte towns, Korean firm ink deal for country's biggest solar plant

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - Officials from two towns in Ilocos Norte signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a Korean firm to build the country’s biggest solar power plants to increase local energy needs in the northern province.

Badoc and Vintar town officials inked the deal with Korean firm EC Cobuy Philippines, Inc. (ECCPI) for 20-megawatt solar power plants to augment the electric power supply for Ilocos Norte.

Badoc town Vice Mayor Thomas Torralba and Korean Stephen Chae, chief executive officer and vice president of ECCPI signed the MOU in simple ceremonoes at the Badoc town hall witnessed by village officials and town employees.

Koreans Young Sub Lee, Yun Soo Song, Jung Won Han, Hyun Soo Gwon, Dong Seop Sin, Guen Sun Yong, Ho Seop Sin, all connected with the ECCPI and ECCPI President Lorena Chae witnessed the signing rites that formally start another project that places Ilocos Norte into the world map of renewable energy initiatives.

The province prides itself of also hosting the largest wind power energy project in the Southeast Asia- the Bangui Bay windmills— which, aside from providing power in Ilocos Norte, has also been  a major tourist attraction in Northern Philippines.

A similar MOU signing was also held in Vintar town led by Mayor Jose G. Foronda and the ECCPI officials.

Badoc and Vintar town officials and the ECCPI agreed to increase the capability of electricity by way of installing the solar energy products, turbo wind power turbine system and all kinds of LED lights.

While the two towns looked for the location of the solar plants,  the ECCPI takes care of the construction and provide the necessary materials for the project.

The ECCPI is now into securing the necessary clearance from the Department of Energy and set October 2013 as the schedule for the memorandum of agreement to jumpstart the installation of the solar power plants.

ECCPI will initially invest at least $70 million dollars for the construction of the solar plant project within the 60 to 70 hectares of lands identified by the two towns with at least 13,000 solar panels requirement. 

Chae said this is the first of its kind solar plant project to be installed in the Philippines. 

"We are honored to have this privilege to share another Korean technology here in Ilocos Norte,” he said. 

ECCPI is one of Korea’s well-know firms producing supplies for renewable energy like the solar power with system on Hanwa Solar Modules and solar tracker; the wind power with system on dual blade dual turbine wind generator system; and the LED lighting with higher efficiency and longer life.

Torralba said Badoc has identified the town’s major river as the location for the plant.  â€œIf this project will materialize, we will not only be saving but will boost our tourism industry and generate more jobs,” he said.

Aside from Badoc, other households in nearby towns in the province and nearby Ilocos Sur will benefit from the project like Pinili, Ilocos Norte; and Sinait and Cabugao, both in Ilocos Sur.