Western Visayas gets clean energy from Green Core

Green Core Geothermal Inc., an affiliate of Energy Development Corp., said Thursday that some provinces in the Western Visayas region would enjoy clean and affordable power in the next 12 years. Green Core signed a contract with Iloilo Electric Cooperative (Ileco), Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco), and Capiz Electric Cooperative (Capelco). Green Core said power will come from its 112.5-MW Tongonan-1 in Leyte and 192.5-MW Palinpinon facilities in Negros Oriental. The cooperatives said that geothermal power is the best option for them. “We’re very happy with this deal primarily because of the low rates of geothermal power compared with other sources," said Capelco general manager Edgar Diaz. “It’s good that we get 70 percent of our supply from [Green Core’s] geothermal plants and only 30 percent from more expensive sources," he added. Energy Development president and COO Richard Tantoco maintained that no value-added tax is imposed on renewable energy resources. Akelco general manager Chito Peralta is also satisfied with the contract. “Getting power has always been a challenge for us because Aklan is located at the tip of the grid. Now, Green Core will be able to augment the power supply of the province and encourage more tourists to visit Boracay," Peralta said. Tantoco said, “Since the industry is leaning more towards clean energy, EDC is well positioned to address the supply shortage in the Visayas grid." According to the contract, Green Core will supply Akelco — which services 17 municipalities in Aklan and two municipalities in Antique — with 18 megawatts (MW) in 2010 and 10 MW from 2011 to 2020. Ileco, whose franchise areas cover 15 municipalities, will get 3 MW from 2010 to 2012 and 18 MW from 2012-2022, the contract read. Capelco, on the other hand, will get 12 MW from Green Core for the next 10 years to energize 17 cities and municipalities in Capiz. Energy Development is the geothermal development arm of Lopez-controlled First Gen Corp. —JE/VS, GMANews.TV