Despite the wind power potential in the region, Negros Occidental’s transmission problems still persist, a power company official said.
Phinma Energy Corp. vice president Danillo Panes said that Negros Occidental has feasible sources of wind power especially in Pulupandan town, and is contributing well to the Phinma’s wind farm in the province.
However, despite the strong potential for wind energy, Panes stressed that the area has still to address its transmission woes.
“Negros is not yet congested for renewables, but the influx of solar farms has caused problems in transmitting the power to the grid thus, it needs more transmission lines,” Panes said.
Earlier, the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said they are taking measures to address transmission congestion in Negros Occidental.
Phinma Energy currently has no plans in expanding its wind project in Negros, but they are working on expanding their wind project in Barangay Sibunag in Guimaras Island.
An additional 40 megawatts is expected from the expansion, which will comprise of 16 to 20 wind turbines amounting to P3 million each, Panes said.
“We still have to get our installation target from DOE, but we are targeting to start the expansion project within the year,” Panes said.
Formerly Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corp., Phinma Energy currently operates a 54-MW wind farm in Barangay Suclaran, Cabungahan, M. Chaves, and Cabano. The P6.5 billion wind farm has 27 wind turbines and is transmitting power to the grid at P7.40 per kilowatt hour.