3rd Ilocos wind power plant construction on

By Freddie G. Lazaro

PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte — A wind power farm project with a capacity of 81 megawatts is being implemented in this town to generate renewable energy by tapping the strong winds in the area.

The wind power venture is the third multi-million-peso renewable energy project to be implemented in Ilocos Norte following the completion of the 33-megawatt power farm in Bangui, and ongoing construction of the 87-megawatt wind farm in Burgos.

Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos, and Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Daniel Ariaso Sr. led officials of the Northern Luzon UPC Asia Corporation (NLUPC) – the project developer, local officials, and local residents in the project’s ground-breaking rites at Sitio Ayoyo, Barangay Caparispisan, this town.

The project’s initial cost was placed at $220 million for the construction and installation of at least 32 units of wind turbines.

Director Mario Marasigan, the head of the Renewable Energy Management Bureau of the DOE, said three companies were commissioned to develop the 81-megawatt wind power project through the NLUPC as a joint venture company.

Marasigan said the 81-megawatt power project is expected to be completed by the last quarter of 2014.

“The initial benefits to be derived by the residents in Ilocos Norte from this project is the generation of job opportunities during the period of its construction, and the revenues to be generated from the project’s real property tax for the local government units (LGUs),” he said.

According to Marasigan, the project location is very viable due to the availability of strong winds in the area.

Last April, the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) started the building of the $300 million worth of 87-megawatt Burgos Wind Project (BWP) in the villages of Saoit, Poblacion, and Nagsurot in Burgos for the installation of 50 units of wind turbines.

The BWP is expected to be completed in 2014.

In 2005, the North Wind Power Development Corporation built the phase 1 of the 33-megawatt wind power plant in Bangui with initial 15 turbines. In 2008, the additional construction of five turbines for the wind farm was completed.

With the completion of the Bangui wind power project, which is considered to be the first wind farm in Southeast Asia, the tourism industry in Ilocos Norte is expected to be boosted.