Bataan pushes five solar energy projs worth $500M

BALANGA CITY, Bataan, Philippines – Governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia has urged consumer to utilize the power that will be generated by five solar plants with a combined estimated capacity of 280 MW and which are expected to go online in few years.

Garcia explained the advantages of safe and reliable technology which the solar projects can bring to six economic zones including Mt. Samat which the Department of Tourism (DOT) has just proclaimed as a Tourism Enterprise Zone.

Director Efren L. Balaoing, of the Department of Energy (DOE) Luzon field office said the DOE has awarded five solar projects in Bataan worth an estimated $500 million.

He said the project sites are Hermosa Ecozone, Morong Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Orani and Mariveles Freeport zone.

The proponents are readying feasibility studies and looking for fundings from both local and foreign locators.

The entry of big food conglomerates, financing companies including banks, and other services enterprises both local and foreign will spike the demand for electricity in the coming years, Balaoing said.

He added that Bataan peninsula is being groomed as “inevitable prospect to become a renewable energy hub in Central Luzon “with the anticipated flow of investors engaged in manufacturing of top of the line consumer products from Asian countries.

According to Garcia the provincial government has provided necessary power generation infrastructure space in Bataan to cover mixed-use energy and attracting locators to create investments and employment opportunities resulting from highly profitable power production ventures.

Garcia told The STAR investing more in new technology like solar power would be a very good diversification opportunity and good business prospect for locators at the Authority Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) which reportedly the fastest growing ecozones in the country.

More trade missions from United States, Europe, and Asian countries visited Bataan for the past months reportedly scouting for potential public and private partnership schemes and other investments set-ups for local entrepreneurs.