An energy company from Fujian, China has expressed intent to establish a solar power farm across a sprawling 41-hectare land in two barangays in Sikatuna, the town’s mayor said.
According to Sikatuna Mayor Jose Ellorimo, Jr., the Fujian Power Company, which also owns the Valenzuela Solar Energy Inc. in Valuenzuela City, will establish a facility that can generate up to 35 megawatts (MW).
Ellorimo sees the project as means to alleviate the power woes of Bohol. The province which continues to grapple with insufficient and unstable power sources consumes about 79 to 84 MW of electricity a day.
The group has completed the purchase of the land from around 50 owners in Barangays Canagong and Bahaybahay, Sikatuna and is expected to break ground for the project this year.
“Mura’g tuig na sukad gasugod sila’g bayad, kung wa ko masayop June 8, last year gasugod hantod nahuman og bayad kay wa man g’yud madungan og bayad. Nahuman na sad og survey. Gipasurvey na ang ilang napalit,” said Ellorimo.
However, Ellorimo could not specify in which month the groundbreaking will be held.
“Siguro ko karong tuiga kay nahuman naman og bayad,” said Ellorimo.
Following the acquisition of lots, the group has now started to coordinate with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in processing permits and other documents.
“Ang usa sa ilang giasikaso ang atong DENR kay daghang mga kahoy man gud gagmayng kahoy limpyohan mana nila so mao pud nay ilang asikasuhon. Pero nakahibaw ko na gasige na sila’g lihok ana. Almost every day na sila naa sa DOE, DENR sa Manila naa pud ny taw na gipaanhi sila sa Bohol,” he said.
According to Ellorimo, the company chose Sikatuna as the available lots in the town are located at a plateau, which is ideal for the facility.
The location is also near the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) substation in Corella.
“Mura’g plateau man gud na. Mao ny angay sa ilang proyekto na solar farm. Ang ila pung gi-tan-aw is duol ra sila sa NGCP,” Ellorimo said.
Ellorimo said that he was also acquainted with Valenzuela Solar Energy’s assistant manager, Joeven Go who traces his roots to Sikatuna.
Meanwhile, Governor-elect Arthur Yap had also met with the Fujian-based group in March and vowed to extend support for the project, said Ellorimo.
“Mga establishment, mga dagkong negosyo dili g’yud na mosugot og magka-brownout tungod kay pila ka minutos na brownout means losses sa negosyo—anything na makapa-stable sa kurinti, so maoy pasalig ni Art Yap na mo tabang sa solar farm,” he added. (R. Tutas)