Gov’t clears legwork for 62-MW Bataan solar farm
FILE PHOTO: Department of Energy (DOE) facade. Images from DOE / INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy has given listed firm Basic Energy Corp. the go-signal to lay the groundwork for a 62-megawatt Mariveles Solar Power Project in Bataan.
In a disclosure on Wednesday, Basic Energy said the DOE issued had a Certificate of Authority (COA) for the planned solar facility in Mariveles town spanning approximately 72 hectares.
The company said it “will now move forward with the next steps in the development process” after securing this certification.
These include obtaining approvals from relevant national agencies and local government units as well as conducting a system impact study (SIS) with grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
The SIS determines if the power grid can accommodate the output of the planned power project.
As outlined in the DOE’s revised Omnibus Guidelines Governing the Award and Administration of Renewable Energy Contracts, the COA allows companies to obtain the necessary permits and tenure instruments to undertake a renewable energy project.
Start procurement
Basic Energy, which has business interests in various fields of renewable energy and alternative fuels, and oil and gas exploration and development, said this also allows the firm to initiate procurement activities ahead of the 25-year Solar Energy Operating Contract term.
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“We are excited to advance the development of the Mariveles Solar Power Project and remain committed to providing updates as the project progresses,” it added.
The development came as Basic Energy’s board approved exploring solar projects in Negros Occidental, Bataan and Pangasinan last December.
In a separate disclosure last week, Basic Energy confirmed plans to develop around 500 MW of solar capacity over the next five years or through 2030.
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Two of the solar projects are under application with the Department of Energy, while the company has yet to initiate the application process for the proposed Pangasinan project.
Basic Energy plans to invest about $760 million in three wind projects in Panay, Batangas and Ilocos Norte, with a combined capacity of 380 MW.
The listed company noted this estimate was derived from an industry standard of $2 million per MW.
