Firms hope to power up Clark Green City

Several power firms have expressed interest in supplying electricity to the prospective Clark Green City, which encompasses the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said.

One renewable energy firm and two traditional energy companies have expressed interest in supplying power to the new city, BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said.

The 35,000-hectare SEZ will need 300 megawatts (MW) of power capacity, Casanova said.

The chosen energy suppliers can partner with the BCDA. The agency has the capability to operate its infrastructure and utilities under a public-private-partnership. Even distribution utilities such as the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) may participate in the Clark Green City, Casanova said.

“We have published already the request of expression of interest for the utilities. Then we will publish the request of expression of interest for the real estate developers,” he said.

The Clark Green City is envisioned to be a “complete city” that is bigger than the Bonifacio Global City. Its area is reported to be about half the size of Metro Manila, which spans 63,000 hectares.

The project straddles the provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac, and will take up the land assets that include the Clark Special Economic Zone.