First SEA tidal power plant rises in NSamar
TO provide a sustainable energy alternative for fossil-based power generation, Energies PH Inc. (EPHI), through its affiliate San Bernardino Ocean Power Corp., is building Southeast Asia’s (SEA) first-ever tidal energy plant in Northern Samar.
According to EPHI’s statements, the construction of this 1 megawatt (MW) is in collaboration with Inyanga Marine Energy Group utilizing the latter’s innovative hydrowing tidal stream technology. The site will be at the remote Capul Island of Northern Samar along the San Bernardino Strait, a passage well-known for the strength of its marine currents.
EPHI said the contract for engineering, procurement and construction has been awarded to Inyanga Marine Energy Group with its hydrowing tidal stream turbines connected to the electrical network of Capul municipality, an off-grid island currently relying on a 750-kilowatt diesel power plant. It added that the first stage of the project consists of a 1-MW tidal power plant, to be connected to a microgrid network coupled with solar photovoltaic or solar PV and energy storage, delivering a reliable, sustainable and costcompetitive alternative to fossilbased power generation.
Antonio Ver, EPHI co-chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), describes the initial Capul project as a “catapult to achieving our goal of helping create sustainable communities across the Philippines.” Electric power will enable families in remote areas to have better access to education, health services, as well as livelihood opportunities.
Jean Christophe Allo, Inyanga commercial manager, explains the project will create significant change for the community on Capul which only experiences eight to 16 hours of energy daily with several blackouts.
“As the project incorporates an onshore storage facility, the tidal turbines will provide continuous 24/7 power supply,” Allo said. “We will provide 24/7 reliable and renewable electricity.”
Richard Parkinson, Inyanga Marine Energy Group CEO, claims that tidal stream energy is “the most predictable and reliable form of renewable energy.” The company’s hydrowing technology is designed to provide a costeffective solution to harvesting the power of the ocean’s tides.
Ver added that their vision is to replicate this pioneering initiative in several off-grid sites all over the country to provide electricity in the hinterlands. EPHI said other tidal power generation sites planned for subsequent deployment by San Bernardino Ocean Power Corp. are on San Antonio Island, also in Northern Samar, and the Calintaan Island in Matnog, Sorsogon.