PETROWIND Energy Inc. (PWEI), a wind energy company that has built, owns and operates the Nabas Wind Power Project (NWPP) located in Nabas-Malay, Aklan, said that Phase 2 of the Nabas 2 wind power project is fully compliant with all national and local environmental rules.
This according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau Region 6 (DENR-EMB 6) in its report to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan.
The report thus affirms the project’s adherence to highest standards with regard to environmental protection.
The company said that once operational, the Phase 2 Project will contribute to grid stability in the area. Since the facility is located at the end of the Panay-grid, the municipalities and barangays in the vicinity will be given priority to receive electricity when a blackout incident happens, as was the protocol followed during the Panay-wide blackout early this year.
In their March 1, 2024 advisory, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) confirmed that PetroWind’s wind farm played a crucial role in the power restoration efforts in the area. Wind power plants have relatively quick restart process compared to other types of power generating facilities. PetroWind’s windfarm demonstrated its efficiency by delivering power within minutes and reaching its full capacity within an hour after receiving clearance from the grid.
The second phase of the project is expected to generate fiscal benefits in the form of taxes and royalties, much-needed employment via approximately 500 jobs needed during construction, plus valuable share in terms of revenues and the businesses generated by the project because of its ecotourism potential, to the government and host province, municipalities, and barangays.
The project will also generate clean and more environment-friendly energy that will contribute to the fight against climate change, said Yrel Ventura, the PWEI’s AVP for Environment and Community Relations. As part of its sustainability practices, PetroWind has committed to continue with its Ridge-to-River Protection Program, an extensive and long-term program of bioengineering solutions and mitigation measures. Early on, PWEI shared that it has expended P175 million on mitigation measures for its Phase 1 and will continue to do so for Phase 2.
Community support in the form of health, education, and livelihood projects will also be implemented by PWEI to ensure that the benefits of renewable energy development are shared with and felt by partner communities and other stakeholders.