$40M renewable energy plant launched in Clark

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2016/03/12/40m-renewable-energy-plant-launched-clark-462187
• Saturday, March 12, 2016

(JTD)

CLARK FREEPORT -- The $40-million Clark Solar Power, the very first renewable energy project inside Clark Freeport was inaugurated yesterday by officials of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC, Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), Sindicatum Group and Mabalacat Solar Philippines, Inc. (MSPI).

CDC president Arthur Tugade, BCDA president Arnel Casanova, Sindicatum Group (the mother company of Sindicatum Renewable Energy) president Robert Driscoll and MSPI chairman Jose P. Leviste, Jr. launched the multi-million dollar facility located in a leased 25-hectare property inside the Freeport. The solar power plant is expected to produce 22.325-MW power in an effort to provide alternative power supply to the growing power needs of the locators.

The solar power plant, a joint venture of MSPI and two Singapore-based renewable energy developers -- Sindicatum Renewable Energy Company and Armstrong Asset Management, could energize at least 100,000 households in Pampanga and Clark once operational. The renewable energy project will be dedicated to the growing power requirements of the locators and future business establishments in Clark.

It would form part of the so-called “Basket of Power” being envisioned by the current CDC management for Clark and local communities. The project is in parallel to state-run firm's commitment to reduce carbon footprint inside Clark as well as to meet the environmental objectives of the locators here and the BCDA.

The project also supports the development of the Clark Green City, which will be a major new integrated city involving commercial, industrial and residential development. It is estimated that the output from the Clark Solar project will support 25,000 jobs within the Freeport Zone.

The project has been interconnected through Clark Electric Development Corporation (CEDC), and as such will supply most of its power to the local area served by CEDC, including the locators in the Freeport Zone. The project is also registered with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and will supply power not required by CEDC to support the Luzon grid.

The plant was completed on March 7, with the conclusion of the testing required by NGCP. Full operations will start this month -- once the project was registered with the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) -- and given approval to connect as a generator by NGCP.