Belgian renewable energy firm seeks 11 gov’t contracts
By Amy R. RemoPhilippine Daily Inquirer
Enfinity Philippines Renewable Resources Inc., the local unit of Belgian renewable energy developer Enfinity, is seeking approval for 11 service contracts covering its planned solar power projects in the country.
These projects are estimated to generate a combined 53 megawatts, according to data from the Department of Energy.
Records show that Enfinity plans to put up four small solar power projects in Luzon, specifically in Casiguran, Aurora (1 MW); Burdeos, Quezon (2 MW); Quezon, Palawan (1 MW); San Fernando, Romblon (1 MW).
In Cebu, solar projects will be set up in Lapu Lapu City (1 MW) and within the Mactan Economic Zone (20 MW).
In Mindanao, Enfinity is looking to build solar facilities on Sacol Island, Zamboanga City (1 MW); Digos, Davao del Sur (20 MW); Calamansig, Sultan Kudarat (2 MW); Balimbing, Tawi Tawi (2 MW); and in Libjo, Surigao del Norte (1 MW).
Enfinity currently holds only two service contracts, for its 50-MW Clark Freeport Zone solar power project in Mabalacat, Pampanga; and the 30-MW Cavite Export Zone solar power project in Rosario, Cavite.
Enfinity Philippines president Dennis Ibarra earlier told the Inquirer that the parent firm had promised to run half of its worldwide business here in Philippines, including supply and investments, despite the low feed-in-tariff rate granted for solar power generation.
Ibarra had admitted that it would be difficult even for a company like Enfinity, which is globally the fifth solar developer with a 500-million euro annual revenue, to roll out its planned 500-MW solar power portfolio in the Philippines over the next three to five years.
A third of this portfolio will be affected by the feed-in-tariff rate for solar of P9.68 a kilowatt-hour, which was a far cry from the initial figure of P17.95 sought by proponents.
According to other solar developers, it would be hard to put up solar power projects given the lower-than-expected FIT rate for solar and the lack of economies of scale.
Meanwhile, two-thirds of the company’s projects are expected to be carried out in areas where the state-run National Power Corp.’s Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) operates.
These areas, usually in far-flung, remote parts of the country, are not connected to any of the main grids.
Ibarra had said, however, that while Enfinity expected delays in implementation, the company was finding ways to push through with the solar power projects crucial to the country’s growth.
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