A P10-billion solar plant that can generate 43,800 megawatts per year is expected to start operating in Daanbantayan town, north Cebu by June next year.
The groundbreaking for the project last Friday covers a site which would occupy 25 hectares in barangays Tominjao and Pajo, and is being developed by CeKO Solar Farm Systems Corp.
About 80,000 solar panels will be set up in the area for Cebu’s first solar plant.
Jessie Tundag, president of CeKO Solar Farms System Corp., said the panels have a shelf life of 30 years.
“We found this area here to be very suitable for the project since it has a flat terrain and per evaluation, there is an average of five hours of sunlight per day,” Tundag said.
He said they will employ local residents for maintenance like cleaning the panels, security guards, electricians and others.
Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro welcomed the pioneer project.
“We are the first here in Cebu to embrace renewable energy. It will also generate local employment,” he said.
He said the company’s investment reflects their confidence in the town’s economic potential and the local government.
CeKO Solar Farm Systems Corp. Chairman Yong So Lee said they hope the project will help prevent brownouts in Daanbantayan.
“Hosting the solar plant in Daanbantayan will be a tourist attraction of the town,” Lee said.
Tundag, meanwhile, said the company is working to expand the solar plant to a 75-hectare land area extending to barangays Malingin and Lanao in order to provide an additional 100 MW to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).
The solar plant will be able to generate for 4.8 hours a day and provide additional load to the Cebu grid.
Construction will start as soon as possible.