South Korean firm eyes solar plant in Negros

A South Korean firm is planning a solar farm on a 71-hectare property in Sto. Niño village in E.B. Magalona town in Negros Occidental to ensure the province's power supply. Youil Renewable Energy Corp. regional manager Gregory Pliny Lofamia said that they can put up a 40-megawatt solar plant in the area, news site Visayan Daily Star reported. “With solar power, you will start with a big capital but the return of investment will be recovered in 20 years and this will not be a burden to the consumers because of the Feed in Tariff policy," Lofamia said. Support from local government He said he will present the project to the Sangguniang Bayan of E.B. Magalona on Wednesday, adding that Mayor David Lacson has already expressed his support for the project. Lofamia ponted out that this is a good way to promote and encourage renewable energy, because the Philippines' vast natural resources. He said that Youil can set up the solar plant themselves, taking about nine months to complete. It was also reported that the firm already has an initial agreement with the Maravilla family, who owns the property on which the plant will be built. Daily operations Once constructed, the plant will operate from 6am to 6pm daily, providing intermediate load needs in the daytime for the Victorias Rural Electric Company to help address the low-voltage problems in the town. Lofamia said that he hopes they will get the support of the local government and other groups in E.B. Magalona because solar energy is clean. He added that, if they generate at P18 per KWH, they will charge consumers of VRESCO at P18 if there is no Feed in Tariff (FIT). But with the FIT they will only charge P12 per KWH. Lower energy costs Lofamia said that the cost of solar power will be lower than conventional power because they do not need fuel, only sunshine to produce power. After three to five years, solar rates will go down by five to 10 percent, he said. Lofamia also presented the benefits of the project to the municipality and the environment during a forum at the Bishop’s House Monday. He said solar power is a proven technology and they installed a solar farm in Korea in 2007 and it is already operational. In the Philippines, they have one solar farm in Cagayan de Oro that was installed in 2005 and it is still operating, he said. Backing of Catholic Church For his part, Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said they support solar energy because it is environment-friendly and they are lobbying with government for the use of these environment-friendly initiatives. He said they are against the establishment of coal-fired power plants because it is a hazard to the health of the people and eventually will be more expensive. “I urge the people be more informed so they can make their voices heard and eventually convince our government officials to sponsor these kinds of initiatives," Navarra added. The Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod has issued a position paper against coal-fired power plants. — TJD, GMA News