BACOLOD CITY – The Visayas region is set to significantly boost its renewable energy capacity with the majority of the 25 committed power projects:The Visayas region is set to significantly boost its renewable energy capacity with the majority of the 25 committed power projects, totaling a potential 1,982 megawatts, focusing on renewable sources. Solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems lead these developments, aimed at operational status by 2024 and 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, among these committed projects, solar energy projects hold the largest share with an impressive 38.37 percent of total capacity. This is followed by wind energy at 26.01 percent and battery energy storage systems at 15.64 percent. Jephraim Manansala, chief data scientist at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, detailed these figures during a presentation at a media training event.
The training, held in Bacolod City and concluding on Saturday, highlighted several specific renewable energy projects a
cross the region. For instance, Solar Philippines Visayas Corp. is developing a 300 megawatt project spanning Kananga town and Ormoc City in Leyte. Additionally, the list includes the Energy Development Corp.’s geothermal projects and several hydro and biomass initiatives.
Notably, the Energy Development Corp. is also advancing in geothermal energy with projects in Ormoc City, Leyte, and Bago City, Negros Occidental. Hydroelectric projects by various developers such as Iraya Ventures Inc. and Century Peak Energy Corp. are also underway.
Moreover, the region is seeing development in biomass energy, with projects like Central Azucarera de San Antonio’s 8 MW facility in Passi City, Iloilo, and HDJ Bayawan Agri-Venture Corp.’s 6 MW project in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.
In addition to these committed projects, the Visayas region has 55 indicative power projects in the planning stages, which could collectively add up to 16,466 megawatts of capacity.
The push for renewable energy in the Philippines aligns wi
th the national policy under the RE Act of 2008, which promotes the exploration and development of renewable resources. The Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050 sets ambitious goals for renewable energy, aiming for a 35 percent share in the power generation mix by 2030, and increasing to more than 50 percent by 2050.
The media training event was organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities and the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, emphasizing the role of media in supporting the energy transition narrative.