NEGROS OCCIDENTAL - POSING TO BE THE RENEWABLE ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

Marlon D. Sunga

REPUBLIC ACT 9513

Since the enactment into law of R. A. 9513 also known as Renewable Energy Act of 2008,

Negros Occidental is in the forefront in the drive for renewable energy resources in the Philippines

BIOMASS ENERGY

Currently there are 9 Biomass Projects awarded by the Department of Energy to various company Visayas, 6 of this project are located in Negros Occidental with an overall potential and installed capacity of 133 MW

This ratio is attributed to the fact that half of the total sugarcane production of the Philippines is attributed to the Negros. Negros Occidental annual production of raw sugar is 800,000 metric tons. The amount of bagasse that will produce during milling can be used as biomass energy.

DOE AWARDED BIOMASS PROJECT

SOLAR ENERGY

No less than the chief of the Solar and Wind Energy Management Division of the Department of Energy Fortunato Sibayan said that Negros Island is the solar capital of the Philippines.

Sibayan issued this statement when he attended and led the ground breaking of 25-megawatt solar plant at Hacienda Makina in Barangay Rizal, Silay City, Negros Occidental last September 2015.

Sibayan further added that out of 2000 megawatts capacity issued contracts nationwide by DOE 1000 megawatts belongs to Negros Island

And in less than a year, Last February 23, 2016 the Solar Power Plant in Silay is now generating 25 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 30,000 homes without carbon emissions

NEGROS ISLAND – SOLAR-landia

WIND ENERGY

Who would have thought that Wind Energy is also feasible to be realized in Island of Negros. The are six (6) application of Wind Energy as of last year, five is in Negros Occidental.

It’s just a matter of time that giant wind mills will be just an ordinary structure in Negros.

WIND ENERGY

HYDROELECTRIC POWER ENERGY

There are packet developments of hydroelectric power in Negros with total generation potential of 54.8 megawatts.

HYDROELECTRIC POWER ENERGY

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Although geothermal energy has long been in existence in Negros Island but it remained static in terms of development and expansion, R.A. 9513 has given this renewable energy sector a new breath of life. As of 2014 there are 3 applications had been awarded to EDC, a government owned and controlled corporation, that specializes in geothermal plant construction and operations.

GEOTHERMAL POWER ENERGY

The geographical location and the sugar industry being the lifeblood of its economy, Negros Island region has been afforded a unique ability to cater different kinds of renewable energy. The synergy between the two paved way for investors to recognize the potential of Negros and infuse multi billion pesos worth of investment in Renewable Energy. The torrent of constructions of different renewable energy project since the RA 9513 put into law are true testament of the a stable and bright of Power Industry in Negros. This perspective and confidence will cascade to other sectors of the industry which all them require a common and vital resource which is POWER.

THE END

Sources: http://www.doe.gov.ph/awarded-projectshttp://panaynewsphilippines.com/2015/09/24/negros-is-region-phs-solar-energy-capitalhttp://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/February/24/topstory2.htmhttp://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru6/factandfigure_negocc.htmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_plants_in_the_Philippines