The Visayas region is set to add 1,982 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) capacity through 25 power projects, primarily expected to come online by 2024 and 2025. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the projects will mainly consist of solar energy (38.37%), followed by wind (26.01%) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) at 15.64%.
Jephraim Manansala, chief data scientist at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), noted that these projects are either under construction or have secured financial closure as of June 2024. Other RE sources include geothermal, hydro, and biomass, with remaining capacity from oil and coal.
Key solar projects include a 300 MW facility by Solar Philippines in Kananga and Ormoc, a 226.84 MW project by San Isidro Solar Power Corporation, and a 20.62 MW facility by PetroGreen Energy Corporation in Bohol. Geothermal projects include EDC’s 28 MW in Ormoc and others in Biliran and Negros Occidental. Hydropower initiatives feature Iraya Ventures’ 14.16 MW in Eastern Visayas, while PetroWind Energy is developing a 13.56 MW wind project in Aklan.
Biomass efforts include an 8 MW facility by Central Azucarera de San Antonio and a 6 MW project by HDJ Bayawan Agri-Venture Corp. EDC is developing two 30 MW BESS projects, with San Miguel Global Power constructing a 20 MW BESS in Leyte.
Citicore is planning 70 MW of solar and 152 MW of wind projects, while First Max Power International is working on a 150 MW wind project. There are also 55 indicative projects in the planning phase, with a potential capacity of 16,466 MW.
As of May 2024, the Visayas has 76 power plants with a total dependable capacity of 3,334 MW, of which 49% is from renewable sources.
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