Nordic, Dutch trade group eye jt venture in renewable energy projects in RP

A Nordic and Dutch business delegation will be arriving in Manila next week to discuss possible joint ventures in the country’s renewable energy projects.

Top energy representatives from both the private and public sectors of  five Nordic countries (–) Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden (–) andThe Netherlands are expected to actively participate in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) thrust to increase the country’s use of  renewable fuels.

"These countries are major players in the world energy markets, especially in renewable energy and we could use their technology and expertise to push forward our goals of increasing the share of  renewable energy in our energy mix and reduce our dependence on petroleum-based fuels," said Energy Secretary Raphael M. Lotilla.   

Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the DOE is targeting to increase the utilization of renewable energy such as wind, geothermal, hydropower and solar by 100 percent by 2013.

"The delegations’ visit to Manila is timely especially in the wake of rising world oil prices that continuously put pressure on economies all over the world. It is timely, especially for the Philippines, which is looking to find concrete solutions to address high oil prices. There is certainly a great interest in looking for various business opportunities along this line," said Annika Markovic, Swedish ambassador to Manila.

All of the  Nordic countries have various energy-related projects in the Philippines and are looking to expand their presence in the country.

The Philippines’ first and only wind farm to date was developed by Northwind Power Development Corp., a 40-percent Danish, 60-percent Filipino partnership.

The project financing was provided by Danida, the Danish government aid organization that granted $11.2 million in capital to jumpstart the project and another $8 million in grants for its completion. An export credit facility of $29.35 million was arranged under a loan agreement between Northwind Power, the Trade and Investment Development Corp. of  the Philippines, ABN AMRO Bank NV and the Danish Export Agency.

The Netherlands’ deputy chief of mission Ric Hettinga said the Dutch government is also willing to extend financing for renewable energy projects provided these meet  specific requirements.

"We are willing to fund feasibility studies up to the extent of $250,000 and we require the use of Dutch products in developing renewable projects. We have unlimited funds although everything will be on a first- come, first-serve basis," said Hettinga.

Amb. Riitta Resch of  Finland, Danish consulate general Ricardo Romulo and Amb. Stale Torstein Risa of Sweden said their governments are also willing to provide grants and low-interest, long-term concessional loans for these types of projects.

The five Nordic countries and The Netherlands will also be holding a trade exhibition from Sept. 21 to 23 to showcase the region’s power-related projects and services and highlight advanced technology.

Dubbed as the "Nordic Power 2005" the exhibition to  be participated in by 15 Nordic and Dutch companies is the main feature of the Nordic Power Pavilion which will be within the auspices of Power Trends 2005.

Some of the participating companies are Grundfos and Vestas from Denmark, Electrowatt-Ekono, Foster Wheeler and Wartsila from Finland, Solland Solar, Emergya Wind Technologies and Shell Solar from The Netherlands, Norconsult AS and Norplan from Norway, and ABB, Prismalence, Swedpower International and Tiger Machineries from Sweden.