CURRIMAO: Ilocos Norte’s scorching sun is a boon to yet another bid of the northern province as the centre for renewable energy in Southeast Asia.
After its famed windmills along Bangui Bay, the first in Southeast Asia, the northern province is taking on its first solar power plant that will supply the Luzon power grid.
Soon to be found at the sun-drenched Paguludan village in Currimao, known for its fine beaches facing the West Philippine Sea, the 20mw Currimao solar farm is just one of the two projects the Energy Department is eyeing for Ilocos Norte, the second being the 50mw solar power project of Energy Logics Philippines, Inc in Pasuquin and Burgos farther north toward the tip of Luzon.
Korean Mirae Asia Energy Corp (MAEC) and the Ilocos Norte provincial government officially forged links on November 15 to pave the way for the construction of the solar park on a 60 hectare-plot.
Paguludan is perfect for a solar park with its flat terrain running parallel to the Currimao Bay, declared in 2010 as “one of the top emerging tourist destinations in the Philippines” by the Philippine Tour Operators Association .
In 18 months or on May 2014, the solar park becomes a reality producing 10mw or 17,000mwh per year in its first phase.
Leftist rebel killed in Surigao clashes
MANILA: A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed following a series of encounters between leftist rebels and government security forces, a military official said yesterday.
Major General Nestor Anonuevo, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said government security forces clashed with NPA members in the village of Lobo, Cantilan town on December 11 and in the village of Hinapuyan, Carmen town in the province of Surigao del Sur on December 13.
Anonuevo said government security forces pursued the leftist rebels after they received reports that the NPA members were conducting extortion activities in those areas.
Aside from the body of the unidentified leftist rebel, the troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles and two AK-47 rifle magazines.
The Philippine Star
