GigaWind4 Inc., a subsidiary of ACEN Corp., plans to develop the 247-megawatt Banahaw Wind Power Project in Quezon province at a cost of P34.524 billion.
The proposed project will be located across 10 barangays in Tayabas: Alitao, Anos, Baguio, Bukal Ibaba, Bukal Ilaya, Calantas, Calumpang, Gibanga, Ipilan and Malaoa, according to the company’s submission to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
A total of 38 wind turbine generators (WTGs) will be installed, each with a capacity of 6.5 MW, occupying an area of 1.2 hectares. The total WTG footprint will be 45.6 hectares.
The WTG model for the project is the EN-171/6.5 by Envision Energy, a three-bladed, upwind, horizontal-axis model that operates with pitch regulation for variable-speed functionality.
GigaWind4 secured exclusive development rights for the project through a service contract, WESC 2022-07-210, signed with the Department of Energy on Aug. 31, 2022.
“While solar energy remains pivotal in the renewable energy mix, the synergy between solar and wind energy is noteworthy,” the company said.
“Integrating the proposed 247-MW wind farm into the broader energy landscape creates a robust and balanced renewable energy mix, addressing the Philippines’ increasing demand for clean and sustainable energy,” it said.
The company said the project also promises economic benefits, as evidenced by recent successes like the Green Energy Auction (GEA-2) and will attract investments, create employment opportunities, and foster economic growth.
“In the pursuit of a sustainable and low-carbon future, the proposal for the 247 MW wind farm represents a strategic initiative,” GigaWind4 said.
“It aligns with the national trajectory towards renewable energy, addresses the necessity for a diversified and resilient energy mix, and significantly contributes to the Philippines’ transition towards clean energy,” it said.
The company said the Banahaw Wind Project has the potential to address regional needs and bring about positive socio-economic changes, with benefits for host municipalities and barangays encompassing economic growth, community development, environmental stewardship and social progress.
According to GigaWind4, the pre-development phase of the project takes about three years to complete and includes site scoping and planning, securing permits, and conducting wind resource measurement and assessment.
The company installed one wind LiDAR in the area, measuring wind data since Feb. 1, 2023, and moved it to another location after a year. A 90-meter met mast was installed and commissioned on Dec. 21, 2023.
Once the project is confirmed viable, the company can proceed with the development and construction phase, which takes two to three years.
