Japanese firm offers to build trans-axial

CEBU, Philippines – An international engineering company is eyeing to setup solar power plants in different local government units in the province as part of the proposed multi-billion trans-axial development project.

This, as YEC International signified interest to undertake the P93.7 billion development project at no cost to the government.

The firm will be presenting to the province its proposal anytime, said Board Member Grecilda Sanchez.

Quoting the representatives from YEC who attended the Provincial Board’s caucus last week, Sanchez said each solar power plant would have a capacity of 10 megawatts.

“They will approach individually the LGUs aron ma-in place ning solar power. They are proposing for 500 megawatts for the entire province,” she told reporters.

She said the solar power project would pave way for the realization of the 280 kilometer trans-axial highway, which original proponent was her father, the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez. The highway would traverse from Daanbantayan to Santander. The solar power plants are among the components of the project.

Sanchez said YEC International is prioritizing the installation of solar power plants in anticipation of the projected power supply shortage in the middle of 2016 as reported by the Department of Energy.

“We really need to augment the power resources. Dapat naa na tay plano daan,” she said, adding that the project would be just timely.

YEC already put up solar power plants in Manila that also supply the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

Sanchez said the engineering firm is proposing to implement the same scheme in Cebu as one of its plan in recouping their investments on the trans-axial highway. YEC will also engage with Singapore-based Baron Group for urban and master planning, she added.

Other components of the trans-axial project include the “eco-zones”, a water management system consisting of potable and non-potable water supply, a wastewater collection system, and wind power plants. —/FPL (FREEMAN)