Philippines: Negros aiming for 100% renewable energy supply

Philippines: Negros aiming for 100% renewable energy supply

The Negros Island Region (NIR) is being pushed by advocates to become an
entirely renewable energy region.

The idea was discussed during the forum on Negros Clean Energy held at the
Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall here Thursday.

Reuben Muni, climate and energy campaigner of Greenpeace, said the NIR still
has more opportunities in continuing the solar revolution by maximizing the
use of solar rooftops.

A present, Negros Occidental has solar generation capacity of 341.5
megawatts (MW) from five companies operating seven plants, the highest in
the Philippines.

San Carlos Sun Power, Inc. has a 59-MW solar facility in San Carlos City;
Helios Solar Energy, 132.5-MW farm in Cadiz City, the largest in Southeast
Asia; Citicor Power, 25-MW project in Silay City; Negros Island Solar Power,
48-MW and 32-MW farms in Manapla and La Carlota, respectively; and San
Carlos Solar Energy, 45-MW facility also in San Carlos City.

"We believe that Negros can eventually become an entirely renewable energy
region. If not totally solar, at least a combination of various green energy
sources like wind and hydro," Muni said.

Muni also commented on the Department of Energy statement that the influx of
solar power farms in Negros has caused line congestion contributory to
frequent interruptions.

He pointed out that the problem in congestion is relative not only to the
generation component.

"We have to understand that the problem with brownouts in the province is
not an issue of generation, but rather an issue of transmission because
according to solar experts we lag behind in transmission rehabilitation," he
added.

The Negros Clean Energy forum was attended by various sector-representatives
in the province and renewable energy advocate groups in the country.

It was initiated by Greenpeace along with the Climate Reality Project
Philippines and the City of Bacolod in collaboration with various groups.

Themed "Maximizing Solar Energy Potential of the Island," the activity was
part of promoting the Solar Rooftop Challenge campaign.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Ref: http://www.mb.com.ph/negros-aiming-for-100-renewable-energy-supply/

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com