ILOILO CITY — The Western Visayas region is leading in terms of renewable energy development, according to Engr. Eduardo L. Amante, chief of the Energy Resource Development and Utilization Division of the DOE-Visayas.

Engr. Amante said that there are a number of service contracts that are up for implementation in Panay and Negros Occidental.

He cited that Villa Siga Hydropower Project in Antique with Sun West as proponent could probably be operational within the year.

The project could generate 8-megawatt power that will be supplied to the grid.

On the other hand, Negros Occidental is more in biomass projects using bagasse from sugar.

“Region 6 is advanced in terms of renewable energy development except for geothermal,” he affirmed.

The DOE as of January 2011 has signed 31 hydropower service contracts and from the four provinces of Western Visayas which currently on the pre-development stage. The highest number of service contract was in Antique with 12; followed by Negros Occidental with seven and Aklan and Iloilo with six approved service contracts each.

Specifically the service contracts in Aklan are situated in Malinao, Libacao and Madalag towns while in Iloilo are in Igbaras, Maasin and Calinog.

In Negros Occidental, the approved service contracts are located in Murcia, Kabankalan, Silay, Minapasoc and Sagay and San Remegio, Sebaste, Bugasong, Laua-an, Barbaza, Culasi and Anini-y in Negros Occidental.

Amante said that currently, they are reviewing the approved service contracts to determine whether or not they meet their commitments.

Upon approval of their contracts, proponents are given two years for pre-development and another two years for completion of their project.

If they failed, then the contract will be relinquished and will be open to other investors. (PNA)

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