17 December in AHN – All Headline News (Online)
Global Green Power Breaks Ground For 1st Of 12 Biomass Plants In The Philippines
The local subsidiary of U.K. firm Global Green Power broke ground on Wednesday for the first of its 12 planned biomass plants in the Philippines. GGP has allocated $1.04 billion to build 12 biomass plants in the country over the next eight years.
When the 12 facilities become operational, it will generate 420 megawatts of renewable and clean biomass energy.
According to Global Green President David de Montaigne the firm is considering building 11 more plants in Panay, Pangasinan, Cagayan Valley, Bicol region, Samar, Bukidnon, Negros, Agusan, Ilocos, Mindoro and Davao. Each plant would initially be capable of generating 17.5 megawatts, which could be increased to 35 MW.
De Montaigne added each plant will bring $4.3 million (P200 million) in the first year of operation at its host community and $194 million (P9 billion) over 25 years and create 900 direct and indirect jobs.
Green Power has signed a 25-year electricity supply agreements with ILECO I and ILECO II in Panay, where a plant is being built on a five-hectare lot in Mina.
The company has secured all the necessary permits, including environmental compliance certificates for its facilities in Panay, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan. Green Power expects to complete construction on the first three biomass plants by mid-2013.
