LIMASAWA, Southern Leyte -- The construction of a solar power plant in this historic island town will bring more improvements to less developed communities endowed with picturesque beaches and historic sites.
Mayor Nilo Petracorta said the National Power Corporation (Napocor) held a ground breaking last March for the construction of P54-million 120-kilowatt (kW) solar power project awarded to Power Dimension Inc.
The island is currently powered by expensive diesel power plant operated by the Napocor, which runs 24 hours a day from the 18-hours operation last year.
The diesel power plant produces 700-kW, enough to meet the island’s power demand. The power plant serves 1,200 households in the island.
“Hopefully, this will lower the electricity rates of Limasawa,” Petracorta said. “This is also environment-friendly since there is no carbon emission in solar power.”
Napocor targets to complete the solar power project by September or November this year, said Petracorta.
Aside from the solar power plant project, Limasawa will also receive within this year two units of 200-kW and two units of 300-kW generator sets as part of the Napocor’s capacity addition program.
The power firm will also build its own fuel oil storage tank to ensure continuous supply even during extreme weather conditions.
Petracorta said this power development project will attract more businessmen to invest in the island due to stable energy supply.
Limasawa is a sixth-class island town in Southern Leyte. Most of the 6,000 residents are dependent on fishing for livelihood.
Tourism is an alternative source of income in the island known as the site of First Catholic Mass in the Orient held by the group of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
Due to increasing number of tourist visiting the island, there is a good number of lodging facilities and inn established by local investors to cater on tourist needs, resulting in the increase of electricity demand. (PNA)