PHILIPPINES FOCUS ON WIND

RP seen to lead SE Asia in wind power; New group to help promote industry development
Amy R. Remo, June 17, 2010 (Philippiner Daily Inquirer)

"Wind developers in the Philippines see the country becoming a leader in wind power generation in Southeast Asia, given the abundance of prospective sites.

"According to the Wind Energy Development Association of the Philippines (Wedap), this potential is shown in the number of renewable energy service contracts that have been awarded since September last year…These contracts alone, which grant the holders exclusive developmental rights in various locations, can add about 1,000 megawatts of clean energy generating capacity; attract some $3 billion in direct and indirect investments, and create 15,100 technical jobs."

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"Recognizing this opportunity, wind developers operating in the Philippines have formed Wedap to help promote the local wind power industry…The group is composed of 14 companies, including First Gen Corp. affiliate Energy Development Corp., Alternergy, Trans Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp., PetroEnergy Resources and UPC Renewables.

"Wedap aims to promote and support the development of wind power as a viable energy resource…Wedap members are hopeful that the country’s wind potential will finally be unlocked by policy instruments to benefit the country."

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"The group said the Renewable Energy Law of 2008, particularly the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme, recognized the unfair advantage enjoyed by fossil fuel-based power generators due to the non-inclusion in their pricing of their their adverse effects on the environment…The FIT [levels the playing field] by providing revenue support for emerging technologies that are renewable and environment-friendly.

"Wedap said wind power… can stimulate local and foreign investments to develop industries that support the manufacture and installation of wind turbines…promote the training of a local workforce that will provide operation and maintenance support for local wind farms…Vestas (the number one wind turbine manufacturer) recently put up its call center in Manila to support its turbine operations globally."