Supporting the call for investments on renewable energy projects, the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) announced in Thursday’s Mindanao Renewable Energy forum its 10 projects lined up for implementation.
Six geothermal projects are set to be established in Surigao del Sur, North Cotabato, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Zamboanga del Sur. Wind projects are to be located in Surigao del Norte.
EDC senior vice president Agnes de Jesus refused to divulge the cost of these projects as these are yet on the planning stage and await approval.
EDC expects these renewable energy projects to help increase baseload capacities to address the deficit in the Davao region.
With the existing geothermal projects initiated by EDC, a savings of $5.8 billion in foreign exchange was seen displacing about 114 million barrels of fuel oil.
Renewable energy source was also opted as it also has environmental and social benefits.
De Jesus said since geothermal in the Philippines is water-based, reforestation is a centerpiece activity in operation to sustain the geothermal source.
Data showed that EDC has reforested 9,713 hectares of public lands since 1990. In 2010, it has reforested 1,071 hectares absorbing 137,000 tons of carbon gases per year of operation.
The company plans to continue to reforest 1,000 hectares a year for 10 years.
