KORONADAL City, South Cotabato More foreign investors could be enticed to pour in capital in South Cotabato following the construction of a solar power plant in Surallah town, Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said.
Fuentes believes the 5-megawatt (MW) solar power plant would help ease problems on insufficient power supply and protect the province from high-cost electricity.
On August 12, nvvogt Philippines Solar One Inc with the provincial government of South Cotabato and the municipal government of Surallah broke ground at the 8-hectare site in Barangay Centrala, Surallah to signal the start of the installation of 23,000 solar panels and eventual linking of the facility to the South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO 1).
“This is an investment with a foreign capital involved. It should signal other foreign investors that South Cotabato is a favorable place for investments,” Gov. Fuentes said in an interview.
What is important, the local chief executive added, is for the management of nvvogt to be impressed with the province.
“If we are able to make a good impression on these investors, they themselves will encourage others to consider putting in capital in our place,” she said.
Reynaldo Casas, president for projects of nvvogt Philippines told the local press that the solar power plant is capable of generating 9 million kilowatt (kWh) of electricity annually or 175 million kWh of power over the next 20 years.
“It is expected to begin commercial production in November,” Casas said.
SOCOTECO 1 serves the City of Koronadal and the municipalities of Tampakan, Banga, T’boli, Lake Sebu, Surallah, Norala, Sto. Nio, and Tantangan in South Cotabato and Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat.
Gov. Fuentes also pointed out that once the power plant will start production South Cotabato’s will gain stronger safeguar against insufficient power supply.
“With several sources of electricity, such as hydro, diesel and now solar power, we will assured that we will not experience as much power interruption as other provinces.” she said.
Solar power should also “provide cushion against fluctuation of cost of electricity because we will have a healthy mix of sources,” she said. pia
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
