Italy Backs P2-B Energy Project

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) - The provincial government welcomed yesterday the support of the Italian government, through Ambassador Luca Fornari, for the development of renewable energy in this province via the construction of a 48-megawatt wind power project. Oriental Mindoro 1st District Congressman Rodolfo G. Valencia said the wind power project is so far, the biggest renewable energy undertaking in the whole Mindoro Island and this signals Oriental Mindoro becoming the new "power basket" in the country. Last week, Fornari led national and local government officials and other stakeholders in the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of Phase 1 wind power project. He promised to fully support the utilization of renewable energy and acknowledged the huge power potential of Oriental Mindoro. "Our (Italian) government is wishing that more investors will pour their resources in the development of renewable energy in the Philippines," said the ambassador. Phase 1 of the project, a construction and laying of foundation for facility which totals 16 megawatts of renewable wind energy and will cost to about P2 billion, will commence on June 30 in the town of Puerto Galera. Aside from the wind project, renewable energy projects such as hydro-electric power tapping water resources, gas, and coal energy are now being developed for full electricity potential in Oriental Mindoro. Valencia stated that once the project is completed, the P13 per kilowatt-hour being presently charged from electric consumers in the province will be lowered to an estimated P6.50 per kilowatt. The phase of the project will be mainly managed by Philippine Hybrid Energy Systems, Inc, a private company with Italian link that handles electric transmission grid projects and specializes in operating electric transmission stations and power plants from hydro power plant to wind farms. The $44 million or almost P2 billion project is envisioned to be the most modern and most efficient wind power in the Philippines.