Ormoc okays 30-mw solar power plant construction

ORMOC CITY , Philippines   - The City Council this week has issued a resolution approving the construction of a 30-megawatt solar power plant in an upland barangay in this city.

The Philippine Solar Farm-Leyte Inc (PSFLI), would soon start constructing the solar power plant on a 405-hectare land in the village of Dolores, the barangay council of which had, on April 29, approved in a special session a resolution posing no objection to proposed project.

Furthermore, the council resolution states that the barangay is not objecting to the conversion of the property from agricultural to commercial classification apt for a site of the power plant. The company has also gotten the nod of the Leyte Provincial Board.

PB Member and now vice-governor elect Carlo Loreto said then that the project would be good for the province and help it cope with its growing power needs. The PSLFI has already secured an environmental compliance certificate from the Environmental Management Bureau for the project.

The EMB said that, among other provisions of the ECC it granted, if it would be necessary to clear the site of trees, the company should also apply for tree-cutting permits and effect reforestation when practicable. 

Documents obtained from the City Council showed that PSLFI was registered as a renewable energy (RE) developer with the Department of Energy. It was registered on September 12, 2012.  (FREEMAN)