THE Provincial Government of Davao Oriental is eyeing to invest in solar power due to public clamor for stable and cheaper power in the province.
In a press release, Governor Corazon Malanyaon met with a group of foreign investors based in Hong Kong on Thursday, September 15.
The provincial government said the foreign investors are interested in installing solar power plants in the province.
The investors, led by Donny Yeung, Chairman of Yeung Marine Holdings Inc., discussed with the Governor and her team of consultants the promising investment" poised to provide a stable, cheaper, clean, and sustainable power source" for the entire province.
The province said that the investors are set to conduct a feasibility study and site inspection that will check the province’s power consumption for the next five years to determine the power requirement and the capacity of the power plants to be established. This is based on the initial discussion.
Malanyaon suggested that two power plants should be established – one on the east coast and one in the gulf towns. This as the governor wanted that no town would be left behind.
Currently, the investors are looking at a 30-hectare land in Banaybanay town and another area in the municipality of Cateel.
Yeung said they would maximize the land for the power plant by placing aquaculture production beneath the solar panels as the investors are also looking into engaging in agriculture and aquaculture.
“This way, no land will be wasted,” Yeung said, hoping to showcase Davao Oriental as power and agricultural zone.
The power rate in the province is expected to be significantly reduced to less than 10 pesos per kilowatt, which will provide respite to residents and businesses.
Malanyaon said the investment supports the tourism sector, which the province is aggressively promoting.
“No investors or tourists would be interested in coming to a province without stable electricity,” she said.
The provincial government will facilitate the processing of legal documents, negotiate with the land owners, and conduct a series of consultations with barangay officials, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and the Department of Energy.
Aside from providing a clean and sustainable power source, the solar power plant will also help generate jobs and income for the province. RGL