P6-billion Puerto Galera wind project gets underway

MANILA, Philippines - The proponent of the P6-billion wind power project in Southern Luzon has started construction of the third major wind farm in the country.

The development is expected to make Oriental Mindoro more conducive to investments and trade, officials said.

Construction of the 48-megawatt (MW) Wind Energy Power System (WEPS) in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro began late last week.

“Each component of the three-phased energy project is worth P2 billion capable of generating 16 MW each or a total cost of P6 billion,” said Philippine Hybrid Energy Systems Inc. (PHESI).

“The Puerto Galera wind project is a component of the Power Development Program supported by the Provincial Development Council,” it added.

In June 2011, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras approved the memorandum of agreement and service contract for the wind farm.

“WEPS is to commence its official commercial operations on or before 2015,” PHESI said.

Project proponent PHESI was incorporated in November 2000. It is 94-percent owned by Construction Management & Consultancy Asia Inc. (CMC-Asia), while the remaining shares are held by Delaware-based BreezeElectric Llc.

“This project will be conducive for expanding business and tourism, manufacturing and other industries, thereby improving the economy of the province,” said Oriental Mindoro Representative Rodolfo Valencia.

A jetty port will be built for the transport of equipment and materials for the wind farm, which expects to reduce current electricity rates, PHESI said.

To date, the only major wind project in the Philippines is the 33-MW project of in Bangui. The $50-million wind farm is owned by Ayala-led Northwind Power Development Corp.

Listed Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp., for its part, plans to start construction of the P6.5-billion, 54-MW Guimaras wind project. It will start commercial operations late next year.

Moving forward, Oriental Mindoro expects more investments for renewable energy projects.

The PDC said it has already identified hydropower, wind, geothermal and solar projects with a total generating capacity of 380 MW in the province. Around 35 waterfalls are also under study for potential to become a hydropower project.

Transmission service provider National Grid Corp. of the Philippines is seeking regulatory approval for the P11-billion project that will link Mindoro to mainland Luzon through submarine power cables.