AC Energy has announced that it will begin construction of the 160-megawatt (MW) Balaoi & Caunayan wind farm in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte — the Philippines’ biggest wind energy project to date.
Once completed, the Ayala-led firm will double its wind energy capacity in the country.
AC Energy will be teaming up with long- time partner UPC Renewables for the Php11.4 billion project targeted for completion by the fourth quarter of 2022 in time for full year operations in 2023, when supply in the Luzon energy market is expected to be tight.
The Balaoi & Caunayan project is ACEN’s third wind power project in Ilocos Norte. It is located near ACEN’s existing wind farm in Bgy. Caparispisan, also in Pagudpud (photo above), which is a 20-30 minute drive from the Bangui windmills.
The wind farm will utilize turbines from Siemens Gamesa, which will supply, install and commission a total of 32 SG 132 and 145 wind turbines, with a total capacity of five MW each, set to optimize the renewable energy production in the wind farm.
“We are very excited to begin the construction of the Balaoi & Caunayan wind farm, which will be the largest and lowest cost renewable energy producer in the country,” AC Energy Chief Development Officer Jose Maria Zabaleta said in a statement.
“This project will further augment AC Energy’s generating capacity, following our recently completed solar farms and battery storage plants, and will contribute to the growth of our renewables share as we scale up our sustainable investments,” he continued.
The Balaoi wind farm project was a major beneficiary of ACEN’s stock rights offering last January.
“The site of the Balaoi & Caunayan wind farm has one of the best wind resources in the country and its construction marks the culimation of over ten years of development work. We are grateful for the continuing support of the Ilocos Norte provincial government and the municipality of Pagudpud in helping to bring this project to fruition,” said David Sutton, CEO of UPC Renewables Philippines.
Based on the Global Wind Atlas, the Balaoi & Caunayan project site has a maximum wind speed of 10.7 meters per second or 38.7 kilometers per hour.
The company also aims to spur inclusive and sustainable economic growth to its host communities in the province by creating job opportunities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
AC Energy aims to develop a total of 5,000MW of renewable energy in its portfolio by 2025, half of which it targets to achieve this year.
To know more about the criteria for setting up wind farms, click here to watch this video from Power Philippines.
