Phl hosts first ocean tidal power plant in SE Asia

H&WB Asia Pacific (Pte. Ltd.) Corp. and French energy development firm Sabella SAS are eyeing to start Southeast Asia’s first ocean tidal power plant project in the Philippines within the first half of 2017.

The partners have recently completed a detailed on-site bathymetry measurement, to move towards a full 3D current numerical model in order to locate the first demonstration project, which will consist of three to five turbines.

Both companies target to establish a special purpose company in the first half of the year to commence project finance and engineering works.

This will be the first-ever tidal in-stream energy conversion (TISEC) power not only in the Philippines but in ASEAN as well.

Playing a vital role in the development of the ocean tidal power plant is PNOCRenewables Corp. ( PNOC RC), which signed a memorandum of understanding with the H&WB-Sabella team-up on three service contracts from the Department of Energy (DOE).

“PNOC RC’s role is vital, and the MOU with H&WB and Sabella is a pro-active strategy that can support the project’s success, more so, when PNOC RC decides to invest into the SPC. With PNOC RC, the promise of a new field of ocean energies can be realized in the Philippines,” H&WB said.

Awarded in October 2013, the service contracts cover three concession areas namely: Area 1 – San Bernardino Strait between Bicol Peninsula and Samar Leyte Corridor (2,025 hectares); Area 2 – San Bernardino Strait between Bicol Peninsula and Samar Leyte Corridor ( 2,025 hectares); Area 3 – San Bernardino Strait between Bicol Peninsula and Samar Leyte Corridor (1,863 hectares).