Author Topic: News: Bohol’s first solar power plant is country’s biggest  (Read 813 times)

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Bohol’s first solar power plant is country’s biggest
By Ven rebo Arigo
Published September 29, 2013 (The Bohol Standard)

Bohol’s sustainable development is legging up for a phenomenal leap with the province soon having its first 10-megawatt solar power plant which gets inexhaustible energy from the eternal sun.

Most ideal and practical amidst global warming, the eco-friendly alternative power facility that will be constructed in Nueva Esperanza, Bien Unido is only the third and so far the biggest of its kind in the country, if not entire Southeast Asia.

Gov. Edgar Chatto cited the Bohol II Electric Cooperative (Boheco II) and its Japanese partners for the pioneering generation of solar electricity that helps pursue the province’s renewable energy development thrust.

Boheco II General Manager Carlos Itable, Hirohito Muneta of the project proponent and technology provider Japan Energy Corporation - SGY Intertrade, capitol executive assistant Isabelito Tongco representing the governor, and Mayor Niño Rey Boniel led in the groundbreaking and time capsule laying in Bien Unido on Tuesday.

The Japanese proponent said the project will “open the gate for Bohol’s new hope for a good union with the world” that seeks “greener” ways to nurture economic prosperity and better condition of human living.

The barangay location of the solar power plant, Nueva Esperanza, means “new hope.” Bien Unido means “good union.”

In the groundbreaking, Itable also acknowledged a Malaysian supporter of the venture to build the unprecedented boundless energy creator infrastructure in this part of the country which a source said could cost $45 million or P1.9 buillion.

The country’s two other photovoltaic solar power plants are the already operational 1MW plant in Cagayan de Oro City and 5MW facility in Surallah town, South Cotabato. Both are also grid-connected.

The Cotabato facility is set for construction starting this month and slated to go on stream early next year, according to a report.

The power plant which will rise on an openly sun-exposed 24-hectare site in northeastern Bohol is further designed to have a battery storage and be also the first of its kind in the country to supply 24-hour, day-night solar electricity.

The Japan Solar Co., Ltd. and Sumimoto Electric Industries are likewise listed as project technology providers.

With its renewable energy incentive program spurring many photovoltaic farms, Japan, itself known as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is believed to become the world’s leading solar energy market eclipsing China and Germany.

Once construction is started, the Bohol solar power plant will be completed and operational next year, generating not just a dramatic additional amount of electricity but more potential investments in the island-province.

Speaking for the governor, Tongco cited in the groundbreaking the rise of the new Bohol airport in Panglao as one forthcoming mighty development that consumes a lot of electricity and spur investments that demand more, sure power.

Before the groundbreaking, Itable and the Japanese group led by Muneta met with Chatto at the Governor’s Mansion on September 21, on which date the project partnership was formalized in a memorandum of agreement.

By sheer coincidence, Bohol island experienced a 12-hour blackout on the same day owing to the preventive maintenance shutdown of the system that brings power from the Leyte geothermal source to Bohol thru submarine cables.

The groundbreaking was witnessed by other BOHECO II officials led by their board president, Mariano Salas, while Second Dist. Rep. Aristotle Aumentado was represented by his top staff Donglie Camacho.

WHY COME TO
THE AGE OF SUN?
Itable said Bohol must now precisely come to the age of solar power as an alternative energy because additional submarine power cable connection is not even an ultimate solution to unstable, insufficient electric supply.

In an executive committee meeting of the Provincial Development Council (PDC), a Korean investor presented a potential partnership for another solar energy development project.

At present, Bohol island has a peak demand of 65 megawatts while the diesel-fired power plant in Tagbilaran City and the lesser-capacity hydropower plants in Hanopol (Balilihan) and Loboc have only a combined output of 19 megawatts, according to the Boheco official.

Bohol thus “imports” electricity from the geothermal source in Tongonan, Leyte for the 49 megawatts shortfall.

Complicating the prevailing power supply want is the increase in Bohol’s electricity demand conservatively estimated between seven and 10 megawatts annually.

Sunshine is so abundant in Bohol and mass storage of solar energy for abundant electricity is the kind of base load plant practically needed here, especially that the province puts uncompromising premium on sustainable development, Itable said.

Project proponents and technology providers cited other advantages of tapping solar energy for abundant, eco-friendly and even economical electricity to fire up and sustain progress.

Renewable solar energy brings about significant factor in the reduction of household electric bills.

Bohol had then recorded a “first” in sun energy use for electricity several years ago when the national high school on Cabilao island in Loon established the country’s first solar-powered computer laboratory and internet café.

The school was among those on many islands assisted by Chatto while he was a congressman.

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