(Photo courtesy: BILECO)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Biliran Electric Cooperative (Bileco) has tentatively set the operation of the Higatangan microgrid system on March 8.
This was disclosed by Bileco general manager Gerardo Oledan who said that the project will provide a 24-hour uninterrupted power supply from the previous 5-hours a day to this island that has two villages with more than 600 residents.
“Bileco has conducted the testing and commissioning of the microgrid system last January 24 and doing full observation with regards to stability,” Oledan said.
“The plant will undergo more testing and observation for a week to ensure reliability and stability of the plant before the formal inauguration tentatively scheduled on March 8,” the Bileco general manager added.
The inauguration is expected to be graced by local government officials of Naval, Department of Energy, National Electrification Administration and representatives from the South Korean government.
The electric cooperative also hopes that the project will bring more development to Higatangan Island.
The project started in October 27, 2017 after Bileco received the donation proposal from the ELT Co. Ltd and from the South Korean government.
Bileco then comply all the necessary documents for the project including the purchase of lot in the amount of P1.5 million as part of its counterpart for the project.
The donated micro-grid project has a total cost of P15.21 million consisting of the following equipment: 10-KW power solar panel photovoltaic, 50-KW power control system, 50-KV diesel generator, and 20-KWH plus 16-KWH extra energy storage system.
Higatangan Island is famous among tourists for its shifting sand bar. The island is surrounded with white sand beaches and its water is ideal for swimming snorkeling and diving. There is also portion of the island with rock formations and best site for cliff diving.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
