GUIMARAS – A power producer in Western Visayas said Negros Occidental also has a potential for wind energy generation, but has problems in terms of transmission.
Danilo Panes, vice president of Phinma Energy Corp., said Negros Occidental has viable sources of wind particularly in Pulupandan town, and is contributing positively to the company’s wind farm operation in this province compared to Iloilo, which is also a nearby-island.
Phinma, formerly Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corp., currently operates a 54-megawatt (MW) wind farm project on a 14-square kilometer area in Barangays Suclaran, Cabungahan, M. Chavez, and Cabano.
The P6.5-billion power generation project established in 2014, comprised of 27 wind turbines with capacity of two MWs each, is transmitting power to the grid at the cost of P7.40 per kilowatt hour.
Despite the potential of Negros Occidental in terms of wind energy generation, Panes pointed out that it has still to address existing transmission woes, which is one of the primary considerations of investors.
“Negros is not yet congested for renewables, but the influx of solar farms has caused problems in transmitting the power to the grid thus, it needs more transmission lines,” Panes said.
The Department of Energy (DOE) and transmission utility National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) had earlier said that measures are already being done to address line congestion in the province.
Phinma currently has no plans to expand its wind project in Negros, only within Guimaras island.
Panes said they are working for an additional 40-MW wind project in Barangay Sibunag that will comprise 16 to 20 wind turbines amounting to about P3 million each.
Each tower will still have the capacity to generate two MW, he added.
“We still have to get our installation target from DOE, but we are targeting to start the expansion project within the year,” Panes said.