Bohol’s first solar power plant inaugurated

By Helen Castaño | 01:53 PM November 21, 2024

After two years, the Dagohoy Solar Power Plant Project by PetroGreen Energy Corp (PGEC) was inaugurated on Thursday, Nov. 21, claimed to be the first and largest single-site solar facility in the province.

Spanning more than 22 hectares in Barangays San Vicente and Sta. Cruz in Dagohoy town, it has 1,270 solar tables consisting of 40,628 units of Trina Solar-brand panels producing 41,000 MWh of power annually, ensuring sunlight is captured on both sides of the panels to maximize yield.

The plant will power some 15,000 homes and eliminate over 2.3mn t/y of carbon emissions.  

The switch-on ceremony was attended by Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, 2nd dist. Rep. Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado,
PGEC vice president and chief operating officer Francisco Delfin, Jr., , Dagohoy Mayor Hermie Relampagos, Department of Energy (DOE) Usec. Rowena Cristina Guevara, officials of Taisei Construction Company, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), municipal and local officials. 

Guevara applauded the project, saying the PetroGreen is an active contributor to the realization of the nation’s renewal energy targets.

“Your dedication to sustainability will leave a legacy, not just for the province of Bohol, but for the entire Philippines,” said Guevara.

Guevara said the DOE targeted 35 percent renewable energy the generation mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, a critical step for the Philippines to meet its energy demands but will also position the country as an active participant in global climate action. 

According to Aumentado, in order to promote growth and attract investments, Bohol needs a reliable and eco-friendly source of electricity.

“This event marks a significant step towards achieving on energy self-suffiency the province as the provincial government continually strives to ensure a secure supply of power for Bohol’s households, busineseness and industries,” he said.

Rep. Aumentado said the province of Bohol is fully committed to support renewable energy projects.

The province get its  power source in Leyte province.

As a tourist destination, Bohol now has a capacity of 47 percent or 28 MW at peak demand. It is expected to increase to a total of 113 MW by 2043.