Who Else Wants to Follow Energy Logistics Way

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                                            WIND FLOWER

Amidst many issues hounding the renewable energy industry particularly the effect of feed-in-tariff (FIT) on the power consumers let us be thankful that more and more energy companies are willing to invest and start the development of this projects. One of this which is worth emulating is the Energy Logics of the Delgado Group which has wind and solar power on their project portfolio.

Energy Logics is eager in pursuing its 670-megawatt wind and solar projects. Here's the full report.

Energy Logics of the Delgado Group remained keen on pursuing its planned 670-megawatt wind and solar power portfolio, despite the troubles hounding the renewable energy industry.

“We at Energy Logics believe that we must continue to pave the way for renewable energy. We are custodians of our planet for future generations and we must make immediate changes to preserve our resources,” said company managing director Marco Prieto Delgado in an interview.

Delgado told the Inquirer that the company remained optimistic on and still viewed renewable energy as a bright investment spot in the country.

“The Philippines is one of the countries that have subscribed to renewable energy ahead of others as early as the 1970s through geothermal and hydro. We are also one of the first to pass a renewable energy law. Our country is blessed with abundant natural resources that can be harnessed to generate enough power to be self-sufficient and cost-effective, but we have to keep going,” Delgado said.

Over the next seven years, Energy Logics plans to put up wind farms that can generate a total 420 MW, and a solar power portfolio that can produce more than 250 MW in additional capacity.

Energy Logics’ proposed projects, which may require $1.8 billion in investments over the next seven years, are currently being held back due to delays in the issuance of feed-in-tariff rates for renewable energy sources.

Delgado said that because of these delays, the timelines of the company’s projects had been pushed back by at least six months. The financial closing for its projects, particularly the 120-MW Pasuquin East in Ilocos Norte, can be completed only after the feed-in-tariff rates are finalized and announced, he said.

 Delgado also said the delays were also giving “foreign investors another reason to doubt the competitiveness of the Philippines as an investment site.”

source: inquirer 

Dutch Firm to Develop 70-Megawatt Solar Power Project

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A 70-megawatt solar power project portfolio costing $280 million (P12 billion) will be put up in the country by Netherlands-based Sunconnex Projects BV.

JJ Samuel A. Soriano, SunConnex local unit's president said that the company is planning to set-up solar farms with 5MW to 10MW capacity ranges in Laguna, Bataan, Pampanga, Cavite and Zambales.

In addition, to attain this 70MW project, SunConnex are inspecting more sites in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao according to Soriano.

He also added that the timetable of the project is dependent on the implementation of the feed-in tariff (FIT) for renewable energy.

FIT plays a big rule on this project since it guarantees renewable energy source developers to get paid for the energy that they will produce and inject into the transmission or distribution systems.

However, Sunconnex is urging the government to maintain the stability of the country’s business climate by implementing the policies that had been passed under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and not to change the rules midway through the game.

“Sunconnex remains hopeful that the Philippine government will maintain stability in its policies to develop renewable energy including solar. Sunconnex hopes that the government will not change the rules and policies and proceed with the programs outlined in the RE Act,” Soriano added.

All You Need to Know About Feed-In Tariff Charges

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National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) adjust upwards the proposed feed-in-tariff (FIT) charges for renewable energy (RE) technologies. 

Feed-in-tariff is an incentive program under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 that aims to accelerate the establishment of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, large hydro, biomass and ocean power in the country. 

FIT, as defined in the proposed rules, refers to a renewable energy policy that offers guaranteed payments per kilowatt-hour to renewable energy developers for the electricity they produce.

The tariff system will also require the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (N.G.C.P.), who operates and maintains the Philippine transmission network via the National Transmission Corporation, and other distribution utilities to incorporate renewable energy into their power networks. 

The tariffs will be applicable for 20 years, which will start once the renewable energy projects start commercial operations.

Here's the changes.

Of all the RE technologies, it was biomass which gained the highest adjustment on its proposed FIT at P7.00 per kWh, higher by P0.45 per kWh from the previous estimate of P6.55 per kWh. Nevertheless, that is still lower than the P8.50 per kWh being batted for by the Biomass Alliance.

The FIT charge for run-of-river hydro has also been scaled up by P0.22 per kWh to P6.15 per kWh from P5.93 per kWh previously. Solar’s feed-in-tariff similarly went up by P0.39 per kWh to P17.95 from P17.56 per kWh; wind has also been higher by P0.32 per kWh to P10.37 from P10.05 per kWh; while ocean had gone up to P17.65 from P17.38 per kWh.