Geothermal, wind power to end Mindoro blackouts

MANILA, Philippines - The use of geothermal and wind power could end crippling blackouts in Mindoro Oriental, outgoing Rep. Rodolfo Valencia said yesterday.

“Renewable energy sources will solve our power outage problem and could bring down the cost of electricity,” he said.

He said his constituents are now experiencing three to four times daily blackouts because a bunker fuel-run power plant cannot produce enough supply.

Valencia said an investor, Constellation Energy Corp. (CEC), is now building a 20-megawatt geothermal plant in Barangay Montelago in Naujan town.

A Filipino-Italian company will build another plant that will use wind power, he added.

The CEC project will tap hot springs around Naujan Lake. Jose Leviste Jr., who served in the Marcos administration, is leading Filipino investors in the geothermal plant.

Valencia said businessmen in the province have welcomed the prospect of crippling blackouts being a thing of the past.

He said lack of power supply is keeping the economy of the province from growing.

He said Oriental Mindoro could be among the first provinces that would take advantage of various indigenous renewable energy sources.