Renewable-energy companies are betting on three towns in the eastern portion of Laguna as new hubs for renewable energy.
In particular, Blueleaf Energy Philippines, one of the leading renewable energy providers in the Philippines, is looking into the construction of new floating solar panels not only in Laguna Lake but also in two other major lakes in Laguna province.
Not just Laguna de Bay
During a roundtable discussion with local media held in Caliraya, Lumban last Thursday, November 8, Blueleaf officials bared plans to construct new floating solar energy plants in Lake Caliraya in Lumban, and Lake Lumot in Cavinti.
The 250-megawatt solar power plants in Caliraya and Lumot lakes are expected to complement the 1.3-gigawatt floating solar power project in Laguna Lake, contributing around 1.5 gigawatts of renewable power to the Luzon grid.
"We were able to secure the permits, and we are now ready to construct this project," Rafael Macabiog, Head of Projects of Blueleaf Philippines, reported during the roundtable discussion.
Macabiog added that the project is expected to commence by 1st quarter of 2025, while operations are expected to start by 2026.
These projects are among the 63 projects considered as "strategic investments" by the Bureau of Investments (BOI) and have already been awarded green lane status last July 2023.
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, Blueleaf also spearheaded a tree-planting activity in Barangay East Talaongan, Cavinti, Laguna last Thursday.
Blueleaf officials see floating solar energy plants as a viable alternative to ground-based solar power plants, freeing a big swathe of arable land that can be used for agriculture and other purposes.
Other players
Aside from Blueleaf Energy, SunAsia Energy and ACEN Corporation are currently planning to construct floating solar panel projects along Laguna de Bay.
NewAsia Energy, reportedly under SunAsia Energy, has four projects with a 422.4 MW potential capacity.
It should be noted, however, that the Department of Energy’s list is incomplete, with details missing such as these projects’ exact location in Laguna de Bay.
Last June, SunAsia partnered with Blueleaf Energy secured 10 operating contracts from DOE for a 1.3-gigawatt floating solar farm.
According to SunAsia CEO Capellan (incidentally, a former undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture) – commercial operations are targeted to start in 2026.
Meanwhile, ACEN has five floating solar projects worth P47.89 billion with an aggregate maximum potential output of 1,120 MW expected to deliver power by 2027 awaiting environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other related permits.
Issues and concerns
However, as with all forms of energy, floating solar panel projects being fielded by Blueleaf Energy is not without its disadvantages.
As was reported by OpinYon Laguna earlier this year, fishermen’s groups have raised concerns that the construction of the new floating solar panels in Laguna Lake could impact not only the environment but also the livelihood of fisherfolk who depend on the lake.
In response to a query to OpinYon Laguna regarding these concerns, Blueleaf officials said they had coordinated with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and local government officials to mitigate the possible effects of the floating solar power project to the lake’s ecology.
Fishermen's group Pamalakaya had earlier said it will engage with relevant government agencies like the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to present their opposition to the “profit-driven and destructive” project.
“While we recognize the need for energy transition from usual unsustainable sources to a renewable one, it should not trample on the socioeconomic rights of the fishermen and coastal communities,” Ronnel Arambulo, Pamalakaya vice chairman, said in a statement last June.
However, the company also acknowledged that the possibility of an extension of the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) to the eastern portion of Laguna province could pose logistical challenges in their project.
“We will continue to work with LLDA to ensure that there is enough space, enough navigation lanes [that our fishermen can use], and we believe we won't have much problems with that since our project, and also the Ayala-led floating solar power plant besides us, won't entail more than five percent of the entire lake," Blueleaf officials said during the roundtable discussion.
(With report by Catherine Go)
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