Project SINAG visits
Solar PV Plants in Currimao, Ilocos Norte

Project SINAG, together with the Department of Energy, visited two solar PV plants in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, on March 9, 2023. The plant visit aims to familiarize project SINAG personnel with actual solar PV power plant (SPP) operations.

The first SPP the team visited was the 20-MW project (MAEC) of a renewable energy developer, ​​Mirae Asia Energy Corp., in partnership with San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group Inc. (SLRB) and Soleq, one of Southeast Asia’s largest independent solar power project developers [1]. The MAEC SPP has been operational since 2016. It was designed to “power an estimated 29,328 households a year and save 16,566 tons of greenhouse gas emissions (the equivalent of taking about 3,500 cars off the road) per year” [1].

The second solar PV plant the team visited was the 68-MW project (Nuevo Solar) by a joint venture between MGen Renewable Energy Inc. and Vena Energy. It is still ongoing construction and is situated just right next to the MAEC SPP.  Although Nuevo Solar “has no direct impact on reducing electricity rates of households here (referring to Currimao), host communities acknowledge they continue to benefit from it through the company's corporate social responsibility projects.” [2]. 

References:

[1] P. D. Inquirer, “Mirae inaugurates 20-MW solar plant in Ilocos Norte,” INQUIRER.net, Feb. 10, 2016. https://business.inquirer.net/206888/mirae-inaugurates-20-mw-solar-plant-in-ilocos-norte (accessed Mar. 10, 2023).

[2] L. Adriano, “Another solar farm eyed in Currimao town,” Philippine News Agency, Nov. 26, 2019. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087110 (accessed Mar. 10, 2023).