THE RENEWABLE energy arm of the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) is banking on partnerships to build its generation portfolio, an official told reporters last week.

PNOC Renewables Corp. (PNOC RC) said its partners for prospective projects would be private generation companies, government institutions and electric cooperatives (ECs).

“Right now we’re looking at irrigation canals scale, solar rooftop projects in government offices and mini hydro projects with ECs,” PNOC RC Business Development Manager Pamela M. Cea-Borlaza said in a briefing in Bonifacio Global City.

Ms. Cea-Borlaza said among the projects in the pipeline are a one-megawatt (MW) hydropower plant and another 500-kilowatt facility in Rizal province.

“There’s also a 40-MW under a joint venture with Aboitiz Group,” said Ms. Cea-Borlaza, noting this will also be a hydro project.

She said the company is also building three other hydro projects under joint venture biddings in various parts of the country.

PNOC RC has also teamed up with various agencies for solar rooftop projects.

The company has existing memoranda of agreement with the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City and the Department of Science and Technology in Bonifacio Global City.

It also partnered with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) for various projects utilizing hydro, solar, wind and biomass totaling 615 MW.

Under the agreement, PNOC-RC will undertake the application of service contracts, conduct feasibility studies and provide technical assistance for the renewable projects that will be spread across the country.

NEA meanwhile will be in charge of providing the linkage to local government units and private sectors that can be tapped for the projects.

PNOC RC holds a 10% interest in the Maibarara Geothermal, Inc., owner and operator of a 20-MW plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

The project is currently being expanded by another 10 MW and will be operational in 2017. --Claire-Ann Marie C. Feliciano

This news article originally appears at the Business World website via this link.