PetroWind supplies power to Panay

MANILA, Philippines — PetroWind Energy Inc. (PWEI), a joint venture between Yuchengco-led PetroGreen Energy Corp., EEI Power Corp. and BCPG Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand, continues to ramp up its clean energy projects.

This after its 13.2-megawatt Nabas Phase-2 wind power project in Aklan secured the necessary approvals following a successful testing by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of the facility’s metering equipment and the SCADA testing by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the project would boost power supply in the Panay sub-grid.

Lotilla said “this is the newest power station added to the system since the Jan. 2 grid blackout.”

“This commissioning testifies to the efforts of our private sector partners, working with the administration, to boost the country’s clean and renewable energy capacity in sustaining long-term economic growth particularly in northern Panay and Boracay,” the DOE chief said.

The Independent Energy Market Operator of the Philippines also recently approved the registration of the facility with the Wholesale Energy Spot Market.

PGEC president and CEO Francisco Delfin Jr. said the commissioning would lead to the “successful operation” of the phase 2 expansion.

“In supplying much needed electricity to Panay communities, we also look forward to the revenue stream from this investment,” Delfin said.

PWEI secured a P1.8-billion loan from the state-run Development Bank of the Philippines in February 2023 to fund the development and construction of the project.

According to the company, the Phase-2 expansion project is the sole wind power project in the Visayas grid, which secured a 20-year off take in the first Green Energy Auction of the DOE last June 2022.

The Phase 1 of the project is now operational with 18 wind turbine generators.

PWEI has spent P175 million on mitigation measures for the first phase and will continue to do so for the second phase.