First Maxpower to spend P4.9B for wind project

FIRST Maxpower International Corp., a Filipino-owned power generation firm, is looking to spend $122 million, or P4.9 billion for a 50-megawatt (MW) wind project in Negros Occidental, which is expected to operate late 2015.

First Maxpower President Francis Paderna said in an email to reporters that the Pulupandan 50- MW wind project in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental is one of the projects of the company. He said that the estimated cost for the wind project is “$122 million but financial negotiation is still ongoing.”

First Maxpower is also looking to start construction within the year, once all other requirements are complied so that by second half of 2015, the project may start commercial operations.

The wind farm, Paderna explained, will be connected to the existing Bacolod- Kabankalan 138- kilovolt transmission line of the Henry Sy-led National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, through a proposed 20-kilometer 69-kV transmission line that will be installed along the Bago-Maao national secondary road.

“The host town of Pulupandan will surely benefit economically from the wind farm facility due from its share from its gross revenue, local business tax and property tax,” Paderna said.

“It will also employ many skilled and non-skilled workers during its construction and operation, and maintenance of the facility,” he further said. “The wind farm will also attract tourists,” he said.

Paderna added that First Maxpower has submitted a letter to the Department of Energy of the declaration of commerciality for the project.

“It has already completed the wind resource assessment, feasibility study, and secured the ECC [Environmental Clearance Certificate] and other necessary clearances from different agencies as well as public consultation with the community,” he said.

First Maxpower is a 100-percent Filipino- owned company established in June 2009, primarily to engage in the business of power generation, most particularly from renewable energy sources.