Bago wind power project breaks ground in Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 150-megawatt wind power project will soon rise in Bago City, Negros Occidental, after Bago Negros Energy Corp. broke ground on the project Wednesday, marking a milestone in the city’s renewable energy development.

City officials led by Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao and Vice Mayor Andrew Torres joined BNEC Vice President Passakorn Panyaratanakorn, PowerChina Philippines Corp. Deputy Country Representative Li Hongjiang, and Ruby De Guzman, assistant director of the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau, during the first pile groundbreaking ceremony for the 150-megawatt Bago City Wind Power Plant in Barangay Calumangan.

Panyaratanakorn said the company is investing USD 250 million in Bago City through the wind power project, its Thailand-based company’s first project in the Philippines.

The project will span seven barangays — Calumangan, Napoles, Taloc, Sampinit, Busay, Balingasag, and Lag-asan — where 23 wind turbine generators will be installed with a total generating capacity of 150 megawatts.

“We made the right decision in choosing Bago,” Panyaratanakorn said, stressing that they have assessed that the area is good for wind, and they received a lot of support and suggestions from the people of Bago City.

He said the company wants to make the project successful as it considers further expansion in the Philippines, citing the country’s potential market for renewable energy.

Yao welcomed the project and highlighted its role in advancing sustainable development while creating new opportunities for the people of Bago City.

“This is a big opportunity for all of us, as this will bring in more jobs and better revenues, and most importantly, a brighter, better, and greener Bago City in the years to come,” the mayor said.

“We can’t wait to see all of these come to life soon. Let us pray that this will be done safely, efficiently, and onward to a really brighter and cleaner Bago City,” she added.

Following the development, De Guzman said Bago City is becoming a rising renewable energy hub in Negros because of its viability, resources, and the welcoming atmosphere of the local government toward investors.

Thailand-based Sermsang Power Corp., which has 15 years of experience in renewable energy across five countries, met with Yao in July 2025 to express interest in investing in renewable energy in the city.

The construction of one of Bago City’s largest renewable energy investments is expected to take about one year.

Once operational, the wind farm is expected to provide clean and renewable energy, generate employment opportunities, stimulate local economic activity, and support infrastructure development in host communities.