Sharp to put up solar energy plant in SBMA
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT: Sharp Solar Solution Asia, a leading global specialist in solar energy solutions, has expressed interest in developing the country’s premier freeport into a renewable energy hub in the region.
In his recent visit to Subic, Sharp CEO Hideyuki Inada told Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Aliño about the company’s plan to put up solar energy farm projects and other possible opportunities in the eco-zone.
Inada was accompanied by Papua New Guinea Consul General JV Magsaysay, former Zambales lawmaker Mitos Magsaysay, Olongapo City Councilor Vicvic Magsaysay and Icko Cabasag Tan of Ecoenergy Solar Philippines, a local company with global partnership for solar solutions.
Aliño said he welcomes the project, saying that development of renewable energy farms is in line with the thrust of SBMA to reduce carbon footprints in the environment.
Both parties see positive signs due to trust and confidence of the Japanese firm on the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who pioneered renewable energy programs in his home province of Ilocos Norte during his governorship; and also Japan’s favorable foreign exchange rates, which makes Sharp competitive with other solar power producers.
Sharp has been successful in the operation of solar power farms in Vietnam, generating a total of 750 megawatts, also in Thailand with 300 MW, Mongolia with 80 MW and Laos with 11 MW.
In the Philippines, Sharp is maintaining solar farms with a capacity of 18 MW.
Meanwhile, Aliño has instructed SBMA’s Business and Investment Group senior deputy administrator Renato Lee 3rd, to facilitate the entry of new investments.
He added that the entry of Sharp in the freeport will improve the investment climate in the SBMA, noting that Sharp is one of the leading solar energy solutions companies in the world with more than 60 years of experience.
“Currently, we have Jobin SQM Inc. in Subic, one of the first solar farms in the country, built more than 10 years ago with a total capacity of 100 MW. An additional 72 MW is nearing completion by the second or third quarter of 2024,” he said.