• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Sanggunian Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental has endorsed the 150- megawatt solar farm project in two barangays of Bacolod City and Bago City, Negros Occidental, disclosed the Chairperson of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Environment, Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, yesterday.
Ko said that the 150MW solar farm project of Negros PH Solar is located in a 133.7-hectare area located at the boundaries of Barangay Tabunan, Bago City, and Barangay Felisa, Bacolod City.
The solar farm will be connected to the electricity grid through a 5 kilometer transmission line connecting to the Mansilingan substation in Bacolod City.
The firm has secured around 109 hectares of unused land through long term land lease agreements for the project, with the land already having the appropriate zoning and key documents, including the Solar Energy Service Contract, Confirmation of Commerciality, and grid connection agreements.
Ko said the solar farm project is expected to boost the energy security of the country.
While the project has yet to secure an endorsement from the Felisa Barangay Council, Ko said it has the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod.
He added that the solar farm will send to the energy they get to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
“It is beneficial for the government because they will pay taxes,” Ko further said.
As far as Ko knows, the parent company of the solar farm, Nexif Energy, has already secured an environment clearance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), a certificate of non- coverage from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and a clearance from the National Commission of Indigenous People (NCIP).
Negros PH Solar is now awaiting the approval of the NGCP, he added.*
