Hermosa solar farm to boost energy needs of NGCP

By Mhike R. Cigaral

HERMOSA, Bataan – Wearing his other hat as a member of the board of directors of Hermosa Ecozone Development Corporation, Antonio “Tonito” Payumo recently visited the latest project at the Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park located in Barangay Palihan of this fast rising, first-class town.

The industrial park now has a 25 hectare solar farm connected to the grid with an additional 100 hectares set aside for another one. Tonito is the eldest son of former Bataan congressman Felicito “Tong” Payumo, one of the brains behind the Hermosa Ecozone. At present there are now close to 5,000 workers employed at the Hermosa Ecozone.

In a report from the Inquirer last year, local developer YH Green Energy Inc. (YHGEI) sought permission from regulators to develop a P121-million transmission line and switchyard to connect its 12.6 megawatts (MW) Hermosa solar power plant to facilities of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

The report said the company told the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) the line was technically feasible and would not disrupt the Luzon grid’s operations. The generation plant is within the Hermosa Ecozone Development Corporation which is almost 4 kilometers from the transmission system of NGCP located in Barangay Balsik here.

The company said it is the shortest, most viable and “best option” to connect the generation plant to the Luzon grid.

YHGEI said it has already executed a connection agreement with NGCP. It also said it has signed a land lease agreement with the Hermosa Ecozone as well as an endorsement from the municipality of Hermosa.