Dutch-Filipino group plans 

solar power farms in 

Philippines

Article by: Kristine L. Alave

Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino urban households may soon enjoy electricity harvested from solar farms in the countryside.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said a Dutch-Filipino solar power company wants to rent non-agricultural lands in rural areas to establish solar farms that could be plugged into the national grid.

The Department of Agrarian Reform said beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program can lease out part of their land to Sunconnex Solar Powered Agri-Rural Communities (SC-Sparc), which signed a memorandum of agreement with the agency on Tuesday.

The company is targeting to put up 50 solar farms in the Philippine countryside that could produce 5-10 megawatts each. In the long run, the company said, it aims to provide 250-500 mw of power to the national grid.

“This is another opportunity for our agrarian reform beneficiaries to earn extra income by way of leasing out portions of their farm for the setting up of solar-powered plants with a generating capacity of 5-10 mw each,” Agrarian Reform Secretary Gil de los Reyes said.

National Convergence Initiative chief Marriz Agbon hailed the project, saying it could not come at a better time. He noted that the government was in need of more energy sources in light of the power shortage in Mindanao.

Under the agreement with the DAR, Sparc will enter into a long-term lease contract with land reform beneficiaries for the use of the land over a period of 20 years. The company said it will pay direct rental to the farmers, with the farmers’ cooperative getting a small percentage of the lease cost.

De los Reyes said the Sparc program would not just benefit the farmer-beneficiaries but the country as well in the form of clean energy from solar power. The power generated by the solar farm will be sent into the national grid as part of the energy blend bought by distributors. This way, even those households in the urban centers can benefit from the power harvest in the solar farms.

Officials said about 50 sites have been identified by the company, which will put up solar PV panels and storage facilities in the chosen areas. Sparc said it has identified areas in Zambales and Zamboanga for solar farms.

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        Personal Reaction:

          Having a solar power plant in the Philippines would be something new to the Filipinos and would envelope some advantages to the people, to the country and of course to the world. I find this solar power plant something nice too for it really help when it would really be started to be implemented.I find the article above very plausible and very timely with the issues that are arising now. The article mainly discussed a way as to how the country can avoid rotating brown- outs and paying more for electricity.   

           The idea of this Dutch- Filipino solar power company is really a very big help for the Filipinos in different aspects. First, it could help those farmers who own some piece of land as to they can lease it to those who want to put up solar- powered plants in the rural areas. They could earn from their land as they plant and make a living. Second, this could also help the farmers to avail electricity at a very low cost. It could also be an opportunity for those families who never experienced having electricity in their household to finally feel what it is like to have light and power and of course, comfort in their own spaces. Third, it is not only the rural people who can benefit from this but also the people living in the city. As the price of electricity goes high, people in urban places try their best to pay for it just to avoid electric disconnection. It helps now the entire Philippines to make use of their money wisely and efficiently. Fourth, this idea is indeed a great help to prevent global warming from happening. We are now using something natural that can help us in our daily needs. Since Philippines is a tropical country, the idea of having a solar power plant is indeed perfect. Lastly, this newly- opened firm will open its doors to employment, thus bringing opportunity for people to have work.  

         I really hope that this project will be implemented as soon as possible. I can imagine people now able to breathe easily because their expenses are lessened and likewise, they have contributed on saving the earth. If this project would be made, I would really encourage my family and even other people to benefit from it. It is natural and it is very beneficial to a lot of aspects.