Mirae inaugurates 20-MW solar plant in Ilocos Norte

MIRAE Asia Energy Corp.—a partnership between San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group Inc. (SLRB) and Soleq, one of Southeast Asia’s largest independent solar power project developers—inaugurated on Tuesday its $51.9-million solar power project in Ilocos Norte.

The 20-megawatt solar power project located in the municipality of Currimao is targeted for operation under the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) incentive scheme for renewable energy (R.E.) developers. Mirae said it was applying for FIT eligibility.

According to documents, the project was awarded a service contract on Sept. 19, 2012 and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in November 2012. Mirae acquired the Department of Energy-Certificate of Confirmation of Commerciality for the project on JuIy 12, 2013.

Mirae has obtained regulatory approval to put up a transmission line connecting its solar power plant in Brgy. Paguludan-Salindeg, Currimao, Ilocos Norte to National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ (NGCP) 69-kV Currimao substation.

In the application approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Mirae said the transmission line project would cost about P63.7 million ($1.4 million).

The contract for the connection asset was assigned to JC Electrofields Power System, Inc. after bidding and selection process was conducted.

Mirae chair Anthony J. Violago earlier said in a statement that the project would make a significant contribution to meeting the current energy demands in the Philippines by using solar as a clean and cost competitive alternative energy source to coal. The 20-MW plant is designed to power an estimated 29,328 households a year and save 16,566 tons of greenhouse gas emissions (the equivalent of taking about 3,500 cars off the road) per year.

The project has driven economic growth in Ilocos Norte creating substantial local employment opportunities, Violago said.

Violago credited the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, particularly Gov. Imee Marcos, and the municipality of Currimao for supporting the project.

“We are happy to be able to contribute clean and sustainable energy to this community and create additional employment opportunities for its constituents,” Violago said.

SLRB pioneered the construction of the $680-million Casecnan hydropower project that allowed farmers in Nueva Ecija to plant throughout the year even during the El Nino phenomenon. It also irrigates 137,000 new hectares of rice land and produces 150 MW of hydropower. Riza T. Olchondra