LlDA to offer 2k hectares of laguna de Bay for floating solar projects

The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) will initially offer 2,000 hectares of the Laguna de Bay for floating solar projects.

In a memorandum circular issued Feb. 2, the LLDA issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Laguna de Bay (LDB) Renewable Energy Resources Utilization of 2022.

“An initial pre-determined area of not more than 2,000 hectares in the LDB is hereby allocated for REU (renewable energy utilization) projects,” the LLDA said.

Under the IRR, the LLDA will bid out the allocation and grant of renewable energy areas (REA) at a minimum bid price of P6 per square meter.

These REAs are located in LDB’s east, south and west bays, near the substations of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and Manila Electric Co.

LLDA said each RE developer applicant shall be allocated with a maximum of 100 hectares per block.

Winning bidders will be awarded an REU contract effective for 25 years, which covers the development, commissioning and operation of the project. The contract is subject to LLDA’s review every five years, subject to agreed terms and conditions.

They will also be responsible to apply for an environmental compliance certificate from the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, an RE contract with the Department of Energy (DOE), and other permits and clearances. The REU contract holder would also be required to apply for a Privilege to Operate Renewable Energy (PORE), which is issued by the LLDA authorizing the RE developer to sue portions of the LDB for RE operation.

Once the IRR takes effect, the LLDA can start receiving applications from interested parties to bid for the pre-determined areas.

The DOE earlier said it was working with the LLDA to formulate a policy for large-scale floating solar projects over LDB.

On its website, LLDA said it has put up four floating solar farms over Laguna Lake as part of the further development of water resource.

The latest project was inaugurated in Cardon, Rizal on March 19, 2019. The other three are in Los Baños and Bay in Laguna, and Baras in Rizal.

Meralco Powergen Corp. (MGen), the power generating arm of Meralco, is eyeing to develop floating solar plants over LDB.

MGen, through subsidiary MGEN Renewable Energy (MGreen), formed Lagunasol Corp. in September 2020 to house its floating solar investments. It is securing lake lease rights for six strategic locations of 100-hectares within the Laguna Lake.

In 2019, MGreen also acquired 70 percent of Nortesol III Inc., which holds an exclusive license to operate the biggest floating solar pilot project in the town of Bay, in Laguna Lake.

In 2018, the LLDA signed a memorandum of agreement with Nortesol and local government units covering the area.