LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – The province of Ilocos Norte under the leadership of Governor Imee Marcos has intensified its commitment for a coal-free province.
Marcos said provincial efforts banning the production and use of coal in Ilocos Norte have been strengthened due to her concerned on possible health hazards from coal waste.
Provincial Resolution No. 017-2016 had already declared Ilocos Norte as “clean, green, and coal-free” in August 2016, highlighting the province as “the undisputed wind energy capital of the Philippines.”
The province hosts the 150-Megawatt Burgos Wind Power Project of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the 81 MW Caparispisan Wind Power Station of Northern Luzon UPC Asia Corp., and the 52 MW Bangui Wind Power Project of Northwind Power and Development Corp.
More recent developments are the 5 MW Agua Grande hydroelectric power plant in Pagudpud, and two solar farms: the 20 MW facility of Soleq Philippines Inc., and the 4.1 MW and 2.6 farms of the EDC.
Also included is the shying away from energy development using coal of any type due to proven harmful effects to the environment, impact to climate change. (Freddie G. Lazaro)