Dagohoy Green Energy Corporation (DGEC) has formally switched on its P1.2-billion solar power project in Bohol.
The 27-megawatt (MW) Dagohoy Solar Power Project (DSPP), considered as the first of its kind in the province, consists of more than 40,000 solar panels installed across a 22-hectare site.
The solar power plant in Barangays San Vicente and Sta. Cruz in Dagohoy town can produce 41,000 MW hours of power every year, enough to power more than 18,000 homes.
DSPP is expected to “contribute to the grid stability in Central Visayas (Region VII), and abate emissions equivalent to 28,642 metric tons of CO2 (carbon dioxide) anually.”
The ceremonial switch-on of the project on Nov. 21 was led by Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, DGEC president Francisco Delfin Jr., Second District Representative Maria Vanessa Aumentado, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, and Dagohoy Mayor Hermie Relampagos.
Officials of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and Taisei Construction Company, one of Japan’s biggest and oldest infrastructure construction companies, also graced the event.
“The completion of the project exemplifies the government’s efforts in accelerating the utilization of renewable energy (RE) sources towards achieving a more energy-sufficient and climate-resilient Philippines, through public-private partnerships,” said Guevara.
The integration of the Dagohoy project into the Visayas grid is “very timely and vital to the booming tourism and economic landscape of Bohol,” the country’s first and only UNESCO Global Geopark and Regenerative Island.
Governor Aumentado thanked DOE, DGEC, and local stakeholders for the successful completion of the project.
“As Bohol’s Governor, I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together in our partnership with the national government, private investors, and Dagohoy leaders and communities,” he said.
“This project is a significant leap towards energy independence of Bohol and aligns perfectly with our vision of inclusive growth and development, and our aspiration of promoting Bohol as a beacon of sustainability in the country,” the governor further said.
DSPP was developed and will be operated by DGEC, a special-purpose vehicle under Rizal Green Energy Corp., a joint venture between PetroGreen Energy Corp. and Taisei Corp.
“We hope that this project will serve both as instrument and inspiration to local government units and communities to embrace and support more renewable energy initiatives, which will not only bring positive impact to the environment, but more importantly, will help build a more sustainable future for the next generations of Boholanos,” said Delfin.
For Relampagos, the completion of the project is “groundbreaking and monumental” for their town.
“We are very happy and proud to host the first ever solar farm in the entire province of Bohol because this proves that Dagohoy can be one the of leaders and frontrunners in driving sustainable energy solutions in the Region,” he said.
“We are also thankful that even at the early stages of development up to completion and now operation of the project, Dagohoynons were able to share and experience the benefits of renewable energy projects through the taxes generated from the project and the various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and environment-protection projects implemented by DGEC,” the mayor added.IMT
