2 more wind power farms in Burgos eyed BURGOS, Ilocos Norte—While enhancing the investment potential in the province, at least two more wind farms are set to be constructed early next year as the Federal Association of Banks in Germany has already committed an estimated P8.1 bullion to finance these projects, which would be located in the wind-swept barangays of Saoit and Nagsurot in this town. The said projects will be implemented by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and would be under the Arroyo government’s program for North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle super region, which aims to provide a renewable and environment-friendly source of energy in this part of the country. Engineer Pedro S. Agcaoili, Ilocos Norte provincial planning and development officer, reported that the provincial development council executive committee will be passing a resolution in compliance with the needed requirements for the multi-billion projects. The PDC resolution will later be forwarded to the Regional Development Council, and finally to the NEDA investment coordination committee for endorsement to proper authorities. Based on records obtained from the PPDO, the proposed Saoit wind power project in Burgos is expected to generate 30 MW, with a project cost estimate of P3.5 billion. The Nagsurot wind power project, on the other hand, is expected to generate at least 46 MW, with an already approved budget of P4.6 billion from Germany. As of press time, the PNOC is currently preparing the project site as they are already undergoing land-clearing operation while conducting pre-qualification process to interested bidders. If plans don’t miscarry, the proposed wind power farms in this town will follow its neighboring town of Bangui in the inclusion to the development map of wind power in Southeast Asia. The Bangui wind farm, which is composed of 15 wind turbines, has already started generating energy, supplying 40 percent of the energy consumption of the more than 100,000 registered power consumers in the province. During the high wind season of October to early February, each wind turbine produces at least 1.7 MW. But according to Agcaoili, the energy generated from the Bangui wind farm is not enough to supply the energy demand of the whole province, hence the need for the additional wind farms in this town. The twin projects are expected to start by the end of 2006 and are expected to be completed by 2009. Leilanie G. Adriano
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