Manila Standard Today reported that the energy department has approved the application of Energy Development Corporation, the renewable energy unit of the Lopez Group, to put up wind projects in Mindanao.

Energy Development applied for wind projects in Camiguin, Dinagat and Surigao, which are estimated to initially cost PHP 7 million each. The company earlier obtained approval for its wind projects in the Luzon grid the Balaoi Pagudpud project (40 MWs) and the Burgos project at Barangay Saoit, Burgos, Ilocos Norte (86 MW).

Energy Development's wind project in Taytay also received approval from the department. The department has approved since the end of March around 44 wind projects with a capacity of 921 MW around the country.

Ilocos Norte hosts the country's first and only wind project, the 33 MW wind farm of NorthWind Power Development Corp. located in Bangui, the biggest wind farm in Southeast Asia to date.

Energy Development's parent firm, First Gen Corporation, is focusing on the domestic growth of the company before proceeding with its international operations.

Mr Federico Lopez CEO of First Gen said last week that "We have, under EDC, an 82 MW wind power project that we’re putting in Ilocos Norte Burgos Wind Project. So that one ill also determine the economic feasibility of a lot of these projects."

It may be noted that Energy Development has sought a USD 75 million loan from International Finance Corporation, the lending arm of the World Bank.

(Sourced from www.manilastandardtoday.com)