Philippines’ nexus approach for water and solar power supply
The country’s National Irrigation Administration will bet on floating PV and solar-powered irrigation to improve water and energy supply. The Pantabangan and Casecnan dams, in the province of Nueva Ecija in the Central Luzon region, have been identified as ideal locations for floating solar.
Crop yield rises with solar-powered irrigation
PV systems have helped farmers in the Philippines become less dependent on rain. Projects in Camarines Sur have shown pumping water with solar is not only cheap but can also raise rice yield.
Philippines utility Meralco seeks new capacity, including renewables
The power company has launched three procurement auctions for a total of 2.9 GW of power generation capacity. Renewable energy companies are among the bidders to have expressed interest in providing electricity.
Distributed generation the main driver for solar in Japan and the Philippines
Two reports have concluded rooftop solar may replace PV parks as the main growth driver in the two big Asian markets over the next decade. Support programs for utility scale PV in both countries no longer seem attractive enough.
Philippines lowers FIT levy
The country’s energy regulator has decided to reduce the levy that finances the FIT program for renewable energy from P 0.2563/kWh to P 0.2226 ($0.004)/kWh. The lower levy is expected to go into effect next month.
Philippine regulator opposes net metering expansion
The Philippines’ Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has said the removal of the 100 kW cap for solar installations under net metering would be difficult for the nation’s grid to accomodate. Meanwhile, a proposal to raise the threshhold is being discussed in the country’s Senate.
The Philippines needs a cost-effective net metering policy – report
Under the current scheme, rooftop PV remains far below its huge potential in the country. Regulatory, administrative and financial hurdles are preventing more electricity consumers from installing rooftop arrays, as well as the resistance of local utilities.
Philippine utility Meralco receives Southeast Asia’s lowest solar bid
In a tender for 50 MW of solar, local PV module manufacturer and project developer, Solar Philippines submitted a bid of P2.34 (US$0.044) per kWh.
Harbor Star to acquire up to 75 MW solar in the Philippines
A subsidiary of Manila-based logistics firm, Harbor Star Shipping Services has agreed to acquire a 60% stake in Astronergy Development Gensan (ADGI), which owns the rights to build a 25 MW solar project in the Philippines.
Philippine oil firm embarks on another solar venture
PetroEnergy’s clean energy subsidiary receives environmental clearances for construction of 10 MW solar PV plant in the country. Project is the oil firm’s second solar foray.
