Dutch firm to invest $280 M on solar power project in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Netherlands-based SunConnex said it is pushing through with plans to put up solar power projects in the Philippines.

Sunconnex president JJ Samuel Soriano said the first phase of their plan would involve 70 megawatts (MW) of solar power capacity costing about $280 million.

He said this would be their first solar project in Asia once completed.

The projects are expected to be built in various areas in Luzon, including Laguna, Bataan, Pampanga, Cavite and Zambales. Each project will have a five-to 10- MW capacity.

“We have applied with the DOE for 70 MW and now we are inspecting more sites in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” he said.

The Sunconnex executive said they would be spending about $3 million to $4 million per MW for the project.

However, Soriano said construction would still hinge on the government’s approval of the tariff level for the solar projects.

“We are waiting for the feed-in-tariff. The Philippines has good solar resources, it is a growth country, very good people and (it) needs more energy sources,” he said.

The feed-in tariff (FIT) is a guaranteed revenue for renewable energy developers set and approved by the government for a certain period of time. At present, the country’s power sector regulator is currently in the process of hearing the feed-in tariff application of the National Renewable Energy Board.

Soriano noted that their company remains to be optimistic on the solar power development under the Renewable Energy Law of 2008.

“SunConnex has been preparing and developing solar projects for the Philippines soon after the May 2010 elections and remains hopeful that the Philippine government will maintain stability in its policies to develop renewable energy, including solar,” he added.

The company official also expressed optimism on the ability of the Philippine government to maintain its rules and policies and proceed with the programs outlined under the Law.

SunConnex is a specialized photovoltaic product distributor. Through local offices in five European countries, it offers a wide portfolio of reliable high-quality brands of solar modules, inverters, mounting systems and other accessories.

SunConnex was founded in 1989 and gained unique experience in several of the world’s largest photo-voltaic projects throughout the past decades.