Panay, the Philippines - WWF, in collaboration with private sector partners, is developing wind farms in the Philippines to promote more renewable energy sources.

The wind farms, to be built in northern Panay, will deliver 30MW of energy.

WWF estimates that the Philippines could save US$2.9 billion in avoided fossil-fuel imports over the next ten years if the country’s vast renewable energy resources are tapped.

“Through these efforts, the country will also contribute towards global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emission, the main greenhouse gas that causes global warming,” said Rafael Senga, WWF-Philippines’ Climate and Energy Policy Officer.

“The construction of wind farm proves that clean indigenous energy can propel the country towards sustainable development.”

Southeast Asia’s first wind farm was recently inaugurated in the windswept town of Bangui, Ilocos Norte. With a total capacity of 25MW, it will supply power to customers of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) starting May this year. This is the first of fourteen turbines planned for the Philippines.

“With this first big step, our hope of becoming Southeast Asia’s leading wind power producer has also been raised,” said Vince Perez, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Energy.

“We hope to reach our energy independence vision of 60 per cent by the end of this decade.”

The project, a joint Danish-Filipino initiative, is the first of several wind farms in the nation undergoing various stages of development. Later this year, a 40MW wind farm will be constructed in the adjacent town of Burgos, and another in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

“Along with our highly successful geothermal industry, the Philippines is set on being the biggest producer of wind energy in Southeast Asia,” Senga added.

Original press release: Wind Farms in the Philippines (WWF)