Nabas, Aklan — To address the growing demand for power in the province, Yuchengco-led PetroWind Energy Inc. (PWEI) announced the development of additional wind turbines and a new transmission line by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
In a briefing, Jayson Abaniel, PWEI senior manager, said three new turbine units, part of the Nabas 2 wind power project, would reduce power strains.
“Nabas-2 remains the only new power plant connected to the Panay sub-grid since the island-wide grid outage in January 2024,” he said. “PWEI supports the government’s grid enhancement project in Aklan. It will help reduce generation curtailment at PWEI’s wind farm, leading to more stable power generation and the continued supply of clean power to the grid.”
Phase 2 of the project was commissioned last April, after receiving approval from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) and NGCP.
The additional units are expected to be operational by next year, increasing wind energy capacity from 42.6 megawatts (MW) to 49 MW. This, along with the recently approved Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay transmission project, could address overloading issues in the area’s existing transmission line.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved the 138 kilovolt (kV) transmission project to offset issues in three existing projects: the Nabas-Caticlan 69 kV transmission line, the Caticlan-Boracay submarine cable, and the Manoc-Manoc 69 kV load end substation.
Once operational by 2025, the P4.2 billion transmission project will help bridge power in Panay and Visayas.
Selwyn Ibarreta, Aklan provincial administrator, stated that enhanced power stability would boost the province’s economic growth.
“The Provincial Government of Aklan welcomes these developments and their positive impact on businesses and communities, especially now that we have attained first-class provincial classification, as announced by Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores,” he shared.
“Increased access to reliable power is vital for our future growth. It will attract investments in Aklan, creating local jobs and increasing business tax revenue to fund social services and development projects,” Ibarreta added.
Johann Juguan, Nabas municipal planning and development officer, said these energy developments could support Aklan’s growing power needs.
“We have a new health facility and a new tourism center opening soon. We need additional power supply to ensure uninterrupted operations,” he said.
“As announced by SMC’s Ramon S. Ang, we expect the New Terminal Building of Godofredo P. Ramos (GPR) Airport in Barangay Union, Nabas, Aklan to be operational by 2026.”
Aside from new infrastructure, Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO) sees this as a way to solve power interruptions affecting local businesses and improve grid stability.