The Cebu Provincial Government has called on the different agencies of government for the smooth implementation of the 150-megawatt solar power plant project in Daanbantayan.
Gov. Gwen Garcia met with DENR 7 director Paquito Melicor, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) assistant regional director for operations Atty. Marianito Mojica, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) provincial manager Johndom Dumagtoy, and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Engineer Mary Ann Bueno to discuss the regulatory and technical requirements from these agencies necessary for the project’s implementation.
Also in attendance were Freya Renewables CEO Carola Carrion and general manager Fermin Alvarez. Freya and Spanish firm Acciona Energia are the Capitol’s partners in the 150-megawat Daanbantayan Solar Power Plant, the first LGU-led PPP in solar power generation in the country.
The discussions centered on several areas, including regulatory compliance, agricultural land use, and the complex processes of permit applications that must be secured before the project can begin civil works.
Officials of the agencies involved assured Gov. Gwen that they are behind the efforts of the Capitol in raising additional sources of renewable energy that is necessary in order to continually support Cebu’s rapid growth and development.
The DENR and EMB will see to it that the project proponents are compliant with the Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC) to ensure the project meets sustainability standards and minimizes its environmental impact.
The DAR will facilitate the legal process of land conversion applications, as the 185-hectare project site includes agricultural land that must be converted to non-agricultural use under DAR.
Meanwhile, the PCA will assess the potential impact of the solar plant on the local coconut farmers and aid in providing alternatives.
The Daanbatayan Solar Power Plant will be built on a 185-hectare Capitol lot in Barangay Talisay. Aside from providing employment opportunities for locals, it is also expected to boost the local economy as the investments here by private partners are set for the long run. | BJR