Philippines – $125-M solar and wind energy projects in Subic

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga announced that the request of Subic Wind Power Generation, Inc. (SWPGI) to expand its business and include the establishment and operation of a solar power project on top of its original proposal to establish and operate a wind farm has been approved.

SWPGI, a subsidiary of the China-based Sunnew Investments Ltd., had committed $75 million last year for the establishment of a 25 wind turbines farm that would generate some 50 megawatts of power here.

However, after ocular surveys and initial data gathering in Subic, the firm decided to also build a solar energy project that would yield from 100 to 200 megawatts of energy, Salonga said.

The expanded project will be worth $125 million, covering some 300 hectares of land at Subic’s Mount Sta. Rita and Redondo Peninsula, and will generate from 150 to 200 megawatts of power.

Salonga said this is in line with the government thrust to accelerate the development of indigenous and renewable power generation systems in the country.

It is also expected to employ about 150 workers, and earn the SBMA some $816,000 in annual lease rentals, he said.

Salonga said that SWPGI’s renewable energy project will not only bring the Subic Freeport at the forefront of the green energy movement, but will also help stabilize power supply in the Luzon grid.

“Subic has long been a net power consumer, but with this project we’re now entertaining the prospect of Subic as a net power producer,” Salonga said.

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