Negros set for 1,000 MW renewable energy boost

An ambitious renewable energy future is on the horizon for Negros Occidental, as industry leaders and government officials announced plans to develop over 1,000 megawatts (MW) of RE projects over the next decade and a half.

The Department of Energy (DOE) data revealed these green undertakings during the Negros Island Power Forum, an event spearheaded by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) at the L’ Fisher Hotel recently.

Engr. Jose Rey Maleza, the DOE-Visayas Energy Industry Management Division chief, delivered a presentation that highlighted the island’s potential for a sustainable energy future.

“Negros Island has a total of 155.6 megawatts (MW) committed power projects and 1,231.7 MW indicative power projects,” he explained, distinguishing the committed projects — those ready or in process — from the indicative ones that are still in planning stages.

Negros Occidental’s energy landscape is already seeing committed projects sprout, from biomass energy in Victorias City to geothermal in Bago City, and from solar in Silay City to pioneering battery energy storage in Murcia and San Carlos City.

Indicative plans reveal a solar-powered future for the cities of Victorias, Bacolod, Cadiz, and Silay, as well as the municipality of Calatrava.

Further diversity in energy sources is indicated by proposed wind energy in Pulupandan, hydropower in Sagay City, and additional battery energy storage in Cadiz.

“(These are) the incoming projects here in Negros. Please take note that all are RE,” Maleza emphasized, reflecting a concerted push toward clean energy. He also shed light on the infrastructure developments needed to support this energy revolution, mentioning that new lines from Mindoro to Panay are expected to bolster the region’s supply access by 2040.

Current figures show Negros with an installed capacity of 910 MW, yet only 692 MW is dependable. “Under the generation mix, 99.1 percent of power plants in Negros generate RE. Basically, all REs are in Negros,” Maleza said.

These developments reflect a significant commitment to renewable energy, positioning Negros not just as a regional but a national leader in clean power generation. This move aligns with the Philippines’ overall thrust toward renewable energy, combating climate change and fostering energy independence.

The forum also addressed the establishment of the Negros Island Power Development Coordinating Council, as revealed by MBCCI vice president for government affairs Frank Carbon. This council’s inception signifies a structured approach to ensuring that the island’s power supply remains reliable and sustainable, a crucial pillar for the continuous economic growth and prosperity of Negros.

With such groundbreaking initiatives underway, the spirit of innovation in renewable energy shines brightly on Negros Occidental, promising a greener and more prosperous future.