Southeast Asia's first wind turbine farm expands

IPP | Southeast Asia's first wind turbine farm expands

NorthWind Power Development Corporation (NPDC) is set to operate five more wind power units in its wind turbine farm in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The additional wind turbines are part of Phase II of NPDC's wind farm project, the first in the country and in Southeast Asia.

NPDC, an independent power producer, was issued a Certificate of Compliance (COC) for Phase II through the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Phase II of the wind turbine farm will add 8.25 MW to the project’s current capacity of 24.75 MW. Forming an aggregate capacity of 33 MW, the wind farm project initiated in 2005 will continue to address part of Ilocos Norte’s electricity demands through the distribution utility Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC).

Zenaida Cruz-Ducut, Chairperson of ERC, said, "The ERC lauds NPDC for investing in eco-friendly renewable energy projects for cheaper electricity service and a clean and green environment. The electricity that NPDC generates will displace green house gas (GHG) emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) by approximately 65,000 tons per year. With its compliance to the technical, financial and environmental standards set by law, our Ilocano fellowmen can rest assured that the ERC has carefully reviewed the safety and reliability of the NPDC’s wind farm facilities."