Energy Logics Philippines Inc. on Thursday launched a 232-megawatt integrated solar and wind energy project in Ilocos Norte province.
Energy Logics tapped engineering, procurement and construction contractor Qingdao Hengsun Zhongsheng Group Co. Ltd. of China to build the $430-million project starting this year.
The project involves the construction of a 132-MW wind facility in Burgos, Ilocos Norte and a 100-MW solar plant in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. Both the wind and solar plants will be built simultaneously.
“This is the biggest project in the Philippines that has both wind and solar energy,” Qingdao Hengsun chairman Lu Min told reporters in Davao City.
He said construction of the wind and solar projects was expected to start this year and would be completed within 18 months from groundbreaking.
“We are honored to be EPC contractor for this project. We build and design energy projects for industrial parks. This is our first project in the Philippines,” Lu said.
Qingdao Hengsun currently has EPC projects in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Indonesia.
“We hope through this project we will give good quality life to the Philippines people as well as start using this project to secure future projects to contribute to Philippine society,” Lu said.
He said the project would showcase the company’s expertise in solar and wind power development.
“We want this project to be completed to bring electricity to the people,” Lu said.
Xidian Holdings Philippines Corp., funded by Chinese investors together with a Singaporean-based consortium and local investors acquired Energy Logics from the Delgado Group in December.
This latest investment is an offshoot of the successful visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in China last October.
“Geographically Philippines is very near to China so since last year when your President visited China…the relationship between two countries has been improving tremendously and more Chinese enterprise coming into the Philippines,” Lu said.
The projects are seen to generate 2,000 jobs during construction and 500 jobs during operation and maintenance.
