NEGROS Occidental has still so much to offer in terms of other renewable energy sources amid the increasing number of solar power farms in the province.
This was stressed Tuesday by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. during the inauguration and ceremonial switch-on of the 59-megawatt (MW) solar energy facility of San Carlos Sun Power Inc. in Barangay Punao, San Carlos City.
For solar power alone, the province currently has a generation capacity of 341.5 MW from five solar power firms.
Aside from the newly-inaugurated solar facility in San Carlos, Negros Occidental is hosting Helios Solar Energy’s 132.5-MW farm in Cadiz City, the largest in Southeast Asia; Citicor Power’s 25-MW in Silay City; Negros Island Solar Power’s 48-MW and 32-MW farms in Manapla and La Carlota, respectively; and San Carlos Solar Energy’s 45-MW facility also in San Carlos City.
Marañon said that he has talked to President Benigno Aquino III about transforming the province into a green economy.
“After a due diligence, we realized that on top of our vast lands, the province is blessed with seven major river systems which have an estimated capacity of 200 megawatts,” he said.
These major rivers, situated in different cities and municipalities in the province, include Himogaan, Sicaba, Malugo, Bago, Binalbagan and Ilog-Hilabangan.
“These water systems are ready to be tapped for renewable energy generation,” the governor said.
Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr. had earlier told Sun.Star Bacolod that some companies have also expressed interest to invest in more renewable power plants.
Escalante added that a waterfall in Sagay City is being eyed by a local-based group for hydro power generation. After about two years of study, a plan to establish a wind farm in Cadiz is also being worked out, he added.
Moreover, Marañon noted that there are also geothermal power plant operations both in Negros Occidental and Oriental, and many other prospects like biomass plants which utilizes waste to energize sugar mills and other co-generation activities.
“These are exciting times for our local economy and the series of solar farm projects inaugurated most recently has put Negros Occidental specifically the Negros Island as one region on the world map,” he added.