Wind power project eyed in Cagayan

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The developer of the country’s first windmill power project is planning to establish the same facility in Cagayan’s northern coasts to boost the country’s power sources.

The Northwind Power Development Corp. (NPDC) is taking steps for the establishment of an 80-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Pamplona town and another 40-MW in Aparri, said Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who visited Cagayan recently.

The developer, he said, has also been studying the wind potential in Cagayan’s other coastal towns for a similar project.

“The NPDC is just waiting for the installation of transmission lines to start with the dry run of the wind power generation in Cagayan,” said Marcos.

The senator’s province, Ilocos Norte, is home to the country’s first windmill project.

 The NPDC developed the $75-million wind farm in Bangui town, which was inaugurated in 2005.

Experts said wind farms are the safest and the most environment-friendly source of energy as it reduces the country’s dependence on imported oil for power generation.

Meanwhile two more windmill projects in Ilocos Norte, the 87-MW wind project of the Energy Development Corp. in Burgos town and the 81-MW wind farm of the Northern Luzon UPC Asia Corp. in Pagudpud,  are expected to resume operation by the end of this year.  

The construction of the $300-million Burgos wind project and the $220-million Pagudpud wind farm were both started last year.