18/06/2005 – The opening
of Southeast Asia’s first wind farm in the
Philippines is a vital step forward in efforts
to promote renewable energy in some of the
world’s fastest growing economies, according
to WWF.
Together with Northwind Power Development
Cooperation (NorthWind), WWF-Philippines
celebrated the commissioning of the US$44
million, 25MW project, which is now ready
to supply electricity to the Ilocos Norte
Electric Cooperative.
“The future of Southeast Asian wind power
starts here,” said Atty Ferdinand Dumlao,
chairman of NorthWind. “We see huge potential
for this technology in the Philippines and
beyond.”
WWF estimates that the Philippines could
save US$2.9 billion in avoided fossil-fuel
imports over the next ten years if the country’s
vast renewable energy resources are tapped.
According to an analysis done by WWF's PowerSwitch!
campaign, the wind resource potential could
be as much as 7,400MW in the Philippines,
enough to power 19 million homes.
This potential is already under development.
Later this year, the Philippines National
Oil Company will start constructing a 40MW
wind farm near to the Northwind site. Smith-Bell
RESCO will soon start the construction of
a 30MW wind farm in San Carlos City, Negros
Occidental. And WWF, in collaboration with
private sector partners, is also developing
two wind farms in Panay.
A new Philippines Renewable Energy Bill,
strongly supported by WWF and Northwind,
is expected to be passed by the Filipino
government later this year increasing the
opportunities for wind power.
“Wind power takes us one crucial step closer
to energy independence," said WWF-Philippines
President Lory Tan.
"This, in turn, builds economic strength
by stabilizing business costs, insulating
us from pollution and the unpredictable
prices of imported oil and coal, while preserving
foreign exchange for other more critical
needs.”
But wind power is not just being developed
in the Philippines, but is picking up speed
throughout Asia.
South Korea inaugurated its first wind farm
in 2005. In February 2005, China passed
a Renewable Energy Law to drive the government’s
target of 20,000MW of wind power by the
year 2020. And as of March 2005, India already
has 3,595MW of wind power, making it fifth
largest win generator globally.
“Across Asia-Pacific the message is the
same – spiralling coal and oil prices and
dependency upon imported fuels, combined
with health and environmental risks are
forcing governments to radically rethink
the way they supply their people with energy,”
said Liam Salter, WWF International's Regional
Climate and Energy Programme Director.
“Wind and other renewables are central
to a new way of thinking – we predict the
trend will continue.”
