To be funded by a Denmark-based company
(PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
TACLOBAN CITY – Northern Samar province is positioning itself as the country’s wind energy hub with the implementation of a multi-billion wind energy project to be bankrolled by a Denmark-based investor.
On Thursday (Jan. 25), Governor Edwin Ongchuan met with Board of Investment (BOI) director for investment assistance service director Ernesto de los Reyes regarding the project.
Also present during the meeting were the executives of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) which will finance the P 108-billion 650 MW North Samar Offshore Wind Power Project.
The CIP is renowned for its involvement in developing large-scale offshore wind projects globally and is the first foreign investor to be granted site exclusivity in the Philippines following the authorization of foreign ownership in renewable energy projects in November 2022.
The CIP is planning to establish a large-scale offshore wind project in the municipalities of Bobon, Catarman, Mondragon, San Roque, Pambujan, and Laoang.
The feasibility study of the project has already concluded and the company will start testing wind strength, speeds, seabed conditions, and environmental factors this first quarter until 2025.
Priority of the project is to ensure grid connection which discussions have already begun with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
Potential grid connection points are the Calbayog 138 kV substation in Samar province; the San Isidro 138 kV substation, a potential new station near a 350 kV transmission line, and the Calbayog-Allen 138 kV transmission project.
To facilitate the project’s development, the BOI issued a certificate of endorsement for the Green Lane Certificate on January 10, 2024.
The project has also received endorsements from various government agencies, including the Department of Energy and other relevant entities.
In addition to the North Samar project, CI NMF (PH) Corp. has applied for BOI registration for other offshore wind power projects, aiming to deliver 1,000 MW in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, as well as 350 MW in Pangasinan and La Union.
Aside from the CIP, the Aboitiz Renewables Inc., and Vena Energy had already commenced ground work for the San Isidro On-shore Wind Power Project, in San Isidro town, Northern Samar.
The 206 MW wind farm project of the Aboitiz is targeted commercial operation by 2025.
To be called as Lihangin Wind Energy Corp., the project is a joint venture between Aboitiz, Vena Energy, and Vivant Energy Corp.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
