STATE-OWNED Philippine National Oil Company - Renewables Corp. (PNOC RC) is tapping solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal power as it aims for a total renewable energy (RE) capacity of up to 300 megawatts (MW) by 2018.

Company president Carlos Gatmaitan said irrigation canals, solar rooftop projects in government offices, and remote river-fed areas are being tapped for projects with electricity cooperatives.

STATE-OWNED Philippine National Oil Company - Renewables Corp. (PNOC RC) is tapping solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal power as it aims for a total renewable energy (RE) capacity of up to 300 megawatts (MW) by 2018.

Company president Carlos Gatmaitan said irrigation canals, solar rooftop projects in government offices, and remote river-fed areas are being tapped for projects with electricity cooperatives.

According to PNOC RC data, the company is developing a 1-MW and a 0.5-MW mini-hydro project in Rizal province.

Gatmaitan said the company is also undertaking a hydropower project with the Aboitiz group but did not give more details. “In this case, we don’t have equity. And there are at least two more projects,” he said.

PNOC RC had offered projects in Negros Oriental, such as one in Bakuwan town, to interested groups in late 2013 and again in January 2014 but failed to find a partner.

The state firm is also seeking partners for hydropower projects: one in Nalatang, Kabayan, Benguet; one in Dulangan, Baco, Oriental Mindoro; and one project in Kalinga (Pasil B and C in Lubuagan, and Saltan B in Balbalan).

The Nalatang project has a potential installed capacity of 44 MW, whereas the Dulangan has 8.25 MW; Pasil B, 20 MW; Pasil C, 16 MW; and Saltan B, 24 MW.

PNOC RC also plans to develop a 1-MW power generating capacity by tapping irrigation canals in Nueva Ecija.

This news article originally appears at the Philippine Daily Inquirer website via this link.