DOE names 4 more ‘energy projects of national significance’

By Lenie Lectura – April 18, 2019
from Business Mirror

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has issued certificates to four “energy projects of national significance,” listing them among projects that will provide the country sustainable sources of power.

SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Group’s 20-megawatt Ollilicon hydropower project and the 250-MW Alimit pumped storage were issued EPNS certificates on April 10.  Both projects are located in Ifugao province.

SNAP, developer and operator of 100-percent renewable-energy facilities, is a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower. It owns and operates the 380-MW Magat hydropower on the border of Isabela and Ifugao; the 8.5-MW Maris hydro in Isabela; the 105-MW Ambuklao hydro in Benguet; and the 140-MW Binga hydro also in Benguet.

The 600-MW Rizal wind-power project of Rizal Wind Energy Corp. was issued an EPNS certificate on March 13. The project is currently in predevelopment stage.

Another hydropower project—the 19.7-MW Ilaguen 3A—was declared an EPNS. This project of Rio Norte Hydro Corp. was issued a certificate on April 10.

As of April 11, the DOE has received 345 EPNS applications. Of these, 293 were accepted while 52 did not comply with the necessary requirements.

The issuance of EPNS certificates is stipulated under Executive Order 30, which states that concerned government agencies shall act upon applications for permits not exceeding a 30-day period. If no decision is made within the specified processing time frame, the application is deemed approved by the concerned agency.