More power for Visayas as Leyte solar farm runs

PALO, Leyte—There will be more electricity available for businesses and households in the Visayas with the operation of a 50-megawatt solar power farm in this town in Leyte province.

The solar farm opened on Thursday and would be connected to the grid system of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) after a dry run on Sunday. The farm uses 188 solar panels, costing $90 million (P4.18 billion).

The project is managed by Sulu Electric Power and Light Philippine Inc. (Sepalco) through a joint venture with a Taiwan-based company, SAS Sunrise Co. (SSC).

Frank Huang, SSC president, said the Palo project was the first venture undertaken by his company in the Philippines.

“We are talking about a greener energy and greener society [with this project]. What we want to achieve [is to start] the green society of the Philippines [through] this project,” Huang said.

The project operates on a 72-hectare property in Barangay Castilla, about 8 kilometers from the town center of Palo. Construction started in December last year and was completed last month.

Sepalco-SSC was awarded a 20-year service contract by the Department of Energy in January last year. The contract can be extended to another five years.

The Palo local government, under Municipal Ordinance No. 2015-19 that was passed on Sept. 25, 2015, paved the way for the construction of a solar farm in the town, 17 km away from the regional capital of Tacloban City.

The government, under Republic Act No. 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, encourages energy companies to harness and develop renewable energy like solar, among others.

The Wholesale Electricity Spot Market gives renewable energy companies “priority dispatch” in selling power.

Benhur Castillo, Sepalco president, said the company sells electricity generated by the solar farm at P8.59 per kilowatt hour.

Aside from providing a clean source of power, Castillo said the company’s operation also created 500 jobs for locals.