PNOC, Singson firm explore off-grid renewable energy

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) and a company founded by Ilocos Sur governor Luis Chavit Singson are exploring renewable energy projects in off-grid islands.

PNOC signed a memorandum of understanding with Satrap Power Corp. to explore cooperation in the areas of solar, hydro, wind and other renewable energy technologies.

Under the MOU, both firms will form a cooperation to utilize indigenous energy sources to provide energy in island provinces such as Palawan.

“PNOC intends to intensify its contribution to energy security and self-sufficiency by promoting the utilization of renewable energy sources particularly in off-grid areas,” the state-run firm said.

Based on its website, Satrap was established in 2014 and founded by Singson, who is its chairman and president.

To date, Satrap has developed five renewable energy projects, the largest of which is a 60-megawatt (MW) solar farm in Santa, Ilocos Sur.

It has also put up the 7-MW Santa Agro-biomass power project and 3-MW Santa MSW-biomass power project also in Santa, Ilocos Sur; the 3-MW mini hydroelectric power project along Chico River in Suyo, Ilocos Sur and the 610-kilowatt (kw) Metrowalk Solar Carpark in Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

Meanwhile, PNOC was created in 1973 to provide and maintain an adequate and stable supply of oil and eventually include energy exploration and development, including indigenous energy sources like oil and gas, coal and geothermal.

Its subsidiary PNOC Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) secured an interest in the Malampaya deepwater gas-to-power project in 1999, the largest energy infrastructure undertaking in Philippine history.