A worker from SunAsia Energy ensures optimal efficiency by cleaning floating solar panels on Laguna Lake. – Photo from SunAsia
MANILA, Philippines — SunAsia Energy has secured all 10 service contracts from the Department of Energy (DOE) to pursue its large-scale floating solar facility on Laguna de Bay, according to the company official in charge of projects
According to Karlo Abril, head of SunAsia’s project development team, the 25-year solar energy operating contracts—covering a total of 1,000 hectares—enable the company to proceed with the construction of the company’s large-scale floating solar farm on Laguna de Bay.
The solar project has a capacity of 1,318 megawatts. SunAsia is set to develop this with its partner Blueleaf Energy Philippines.
During a site visit to the area Friday, Abril said works on the project will begin by 2025, while its commercial operations may commence a year later
He said the project will be done in phases, beginning in areas around Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao, and Calamba.
The official said that once SunAsia makes the project fully operational, the town of Bay in Laguna could be upgraded to a first-class municipality from second-class classification.
READ: SunAsia, Blueleaf investing $1.7B in floating solar project on Laguna Lake
Currently, SunAsia is operating a pilot project with a capacity of 15.2 kilowatts.
The pilot project is powering up the barangay hall of San Antonio village in Bay, as well as providing electricity to residents through its charging station.
Geralyn Villarin, secretary of San Antonio village, said the pilot solar project helped lower their power bill by 50 percent.
“Napansin din po ng mga mangingisda rito sa amin ang pagdami ng isda sa area ng floating solar pilot,” she told reporters.
[Fisherfolk also noticed the increase in fish around the area of the floating solar pilot project.]
Locals have also been tapped to build and maintain the pilot project.
Fish friendly
“Similar to an umbrella, the panels provide a shield from the heat. In addition, algae grow under the floaters which serve as food. Together, these allow aquatic life to flourish. As it is an open area, fish can freely move,” Abril said.
The DOE has set a commitment to boost renewable energy’s share in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
Last year, the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the renewable energy providers inked an agreement for the 10 blocks of 100 hectares each in Laguna de Bay.
Officials from Blueleaf Energy, SunAsia’s partner, earlier explained that there were 10 more blocks that were being developed by other companies.
READ: To hit an ambitious energy mix goal, PH needs 53,000 MW of clean power
In total, the agency had auctioned off 2,000 hectares of the lake for the building of floating solar farms.
Blueleaf Energy said the 2,000 hectares were just 2.2 percent of Laguna Lake.
Aside from the joint venture of SunAsia and Blueleaf Energy, other winning bidders were ACEN and Vena Energy.