Alternergy's ₱2.8-billion Tanay Wind project gets go-ahead for Luzon grid link
Renewable energy firm Alternergy Holdings Corp. announced it has received approval to connect its 128-megawatt (MW) Tanay Rizal wind power project to the Luzon grid.
In a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 20, Alternergy said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) greenlit the project’s 500-kilovolt (kV) integration into the Luzon transmission backbone, enabling Alternergy Tanay Wind Corp. (ATWC) to develop and manage a ₱2.8 billion point-to-point transmission facility.
The company stated the approval allows them to begin developing two double-circuit, 500-kV transmission lines and a 500-kV switchyard, as well as a 1x150 megavolt amperes (MVA) transformer.
The ERC also approved a two-stage interconnection project. First, ATWC will link the Tanay wind project to the 500-kV San Jose-Tayabas transmission line. The final connection will be to the Baras 500-kV substation, which the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has yet to complete.
“The ERC also directed NGCP to expedite the filing and completion of the NGCP Baras 500-kV Substation,” Alternergy said.
Once the wind and transmission projects are complete, the Tanay Wind Project will be able to supply renewable electricity to end users. The project’s construction is expected to be finished by the fourth quarter of this year.
Gerry Magbanua, ATWC president, commended the ERC for allowing the company to move forward with its interconnection project. He noted this will help them achieve their commitments in the Department of Energy's (DOE) second round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-2).
“With NGCP and ERC’s support, our interconnection schemes for our Tanay and Alabat Wind Power Projects demonstrate Alternergy’s capability to design innovative solutions to critical transmission access for renewable energy infrastructure,” he said.
In July, Alternergy secured the third drawdown of ₱1.4 billion for the Tanay Wind Project from the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Security Bank, bringing the total amount disbursed from both banks to ₱4.9 billion.
The wind project, located in Rizal province, is expected to help the company achieve its goal of a 500-MW capacity by next year.