In a recently concluded Albay Renewable Energy and Investment Summit at the Oriental Hotel Legazpi on September 27 and 28, a roadmap of Albay’s ambition to a sustainable future through renewable energy (RE) sources was presented, eyeing areas in the province as its farm locations.
Arnold Onrubia, officer-in-charge of Albay’s Provincial Planning and Development Office, revealed the potential locations of solar farms in the areas of San Miguel Island in Tabaco City; Pantao, Libon; and Pio Duran.
“Based on our research, nag-map kami ng irradiance, through Geographic Information System (GIS), minapa na namin kung saan talaga ‘yong best sites in Albay na pwedeng paglagyan ng solar farm. We found out that coastal areas would be the best location to build the solar farms,” Onrubia stated.
Aside from solar panel farms, windmills are also considered a renewable source for the 100 percent RE by 2030 ambition of Albay. Onrubia identified upland areas for windmill projects specifically in Tabaco City and Cagraray Island.
Weathering setbacks
The Bicol region, particularly Albay, is a typhoon-prone area—a challenge for the sustainability projects.
When asked about the solutions for the possible setbacks of the RE farms during typhoons and storm surges, Onrubia and his team had already mapped out locations highly susceptible to storm surges.
“Fortunately, meron na ngayong technologies na kahit may bagyo, hindi masyadong masisira ang mga solar panels natin. Pipili rin tayo ng areas na medyo less [susceptible] sa storm surge, pero yung irradiance, mataas pa rin,” he said.
Moreover, to ensure the continuous operations of the projects, a potential ordinance called the ‘Albay Energy Code’ is being prepared, according to Onrubia. The ordinance will ensure that the energy investments will be sustained regardless of the administration in power.
Possible Community Resettlements
RE farms will require large areas of land for development. Albay Governor Grex Lagman emphasized that minimizing the displacements of Albayanos is a priority in the implementation of these projects. He also guarantees that job opportunities will be created as the projects move forward.
Meanwhile, Onrubia assured that the Provincial Government of Albay has funds for constructing relocation sites for any communities that may be affected by the projects.
“We take into account the possible resettlements; we make sure that we have the allotted funds to buy other relocation lands for the communities,” he said.
The two-day summit secured commitments of 1,250 megawatts of renewable energy, equivalent to P84 billion in pledges from various investors, aimed at advancing solar and wind renewable energy projects—a foreseeable sustainable future for Albay. I Denisse Mae Laganzo