DBP participates in historical launch of first ever wind hybrid power plant in Batanes

The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is handling a P50-million loan to bridge finance a wind-diesel hybrid power project for the local government unit (LGU) of Batanes.

The power project would result in a 24-hour electricity cheap service for the entire province that is environment-friendly.

According to DBP president and chief executive officer Simon R. Paterno, the loan is part of the bank’s policy of promoting new and renewable energy that is environment-friendly yet affordable.

"It will be the first in the island provinces throughout the archipelago. It will serve as the model, which other LGUs will try to replicate in view of the growing environmental consciousness," Paterno said.

It will also have a direct impact on the cash-strapped, debt-ridden National Power Corp. (Napocor). It will lessen capital expenditure and reduce fuel-operating expenses, which could result in the redirecting of whatever funds for the other unenergized areas of the country.

Napocor recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the province of Batanes wherein the government-run power firm would operate the system. It will provide fuel, spare parts materials, and operations and maintenance requirements of the generation set (genset) and power plant.

The power plant and genset will be turned over to the LGU who in turn would, retire, operate or bid out to an independent power producer (IPP). So far, it is the First Philippine Energy Corp. that has pre-qualified to undertake the project.

The project site would be the municipality of Mahatao where the plant is expected to supply eight-hour power, which would compliment the existing 16-hour power supply.

The first phase of the hybrid power system would consist of approximately 180-kilowatts (kW) of wind plant connected to a 2 x 635-kilovoltamperes (kVA) diesel generating station with control strategy and supervisory systems. The system is capable of networking and capacity expansion is possible by the addition of wind turbines and associated control gear.

A 180-kW of installed wind turbine capacity will produce approximately 288,550-kWh per annum assuming an average wind speed of six mps. The output of hybrid system will be linked to the distribution system of the Batanes Electric Cooperative (Batanelco) via 2,000 kVA and 200 kVA 13.2 kV substation to be constructed at the project site.

According to DBP data, the demand level in the province is estimated at 1.287-megawatts (MW) versus its present capacity of 0.850 MW. By 2005, demand is estimated to grow to 2,773 MW to 5.890 MW by 2010.

Average wind speed ranging between five and nine meters per seconds (mps) was recorded on an average of nine days for every month. This was experienced from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Gust ranging from 10-20 mps was experienced during typhoons, with wind speed peaking at 20-30 mps at the height of said weather disturbances. Such gust is usually experienced for a period of three consecutive days.

Based on the Wind Map of the Philippines prepared by the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the province of Batanes is one of the places that possess a considerable wind regime that can be tapped for energy. – TPT