MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) has started accepting bids for 22 predetermined areas for potential geothermal and hydropower resources to accelerate the renewable energy (RE) development in the country.
During the 3rd Open and Competitive Selection Process (OCSP) on Jan. 5, the DOE bared 17 predetermined areas for hydropower projects and five potential sites for geothermal energy development.
These areas have potential capacity to generate 150 megawatts (MW) of RE.
The 17 predetermined areas for hydropower projects include Area No. 1 Amlan Plant C with 0.8 MW potential capacity, Area No. 2 Amlan Plant A (3.2 MW), Area No. 3 Hilabangan Upper Cascade (4.8 MW), Area No. 4 Hilabangan Lower Cascade (3 MW), Area No. 5 Maninila Lower Cascade (4.5 MW), Area No. 6 Maninila Upper Cascade (3.1 MW), Area No. 7 Tibiao (2.1 MW), Area No. 8 Dalanas (3 MW), and Area No. 9 Sibalom Middle Cascade (4 MW).
Completing the list of predetermined areas for hydroelectric power projects are Area No. 10 Aklan River Lower East Tributary (3 MW), Area No. 11 Aklan River Middle Tributary (2.4 MW), Area No. 12 Aklan River Upper Tributary (2.4 MW), Area No. 13 Vera Falls (0.3 MW), Area No. 14 Palali (0.2 MW), Area No. 15 Coyaoyao Upper Cascade (0.2 MW), Area No. 16 Dapnan (1.4 MW), and Area No. 17 Balintingon (52 MW).
For geothermal energy projects, the predetermined areas include Area No. 1 Daklan Geothermal Project with 27 MW potential capacity, Area No. 2 Itogon (9 MW), Area No. 3 Puting Lupa (17 MW), Area No. 4 Maricaban Island (4 MW), and Area No. 5 Mt. Labo (30 MW).
At the third OCSP kick-off, DOE Undersecretary Emmanuel Juaneza said the department continues to encourage and promote the exploration, development, and utilization of RE.
“(DOE) Secretary (Alfonso) Cusi himself reiterated the commitment to promote our renewable energy, with the hope that in time, renewables will figure prominently in the country’s energy future,” Juaneza said.
In October 2020, Cusi declared a moratorium on endorsing greenfield coal power projects.
Cusi said the new policy will maneuver the country to shift to a new, cleaner, and indigenous source of power.
Meanwhile, interested bidders for the 22 predetermined areas may submit their bids until Feb.15, 2021.
“Target contract awarding for non-Financial and Technical Assistance (Agreement) (FTAA) projects will be on April 14, 2021 while those covered by the FTAA will be endorsed to the Office of the President for approval by April 19, 2021,” DOE added. (PNA)
