The power capacity of Pamilacan Island in Baclayon has been substantially expanded, according to reports.
The additional power supply for the said island is made possible under the Support Facility for Renewable Energy (SFRE) of the Development for Renewable Energy Application Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability (DREAMS) project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), according to a report from the office of Cong. Edgar Chatto.
UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran met with Chatto on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2021 following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Pamilacan Island Solar Photovoltaics system (PISPS).
They discussed renewable energy prospects in Bohol together with DREAMS UNDP project Manager Ric Torres, UNDP Climate Action Team’s Gwen Palmes, Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas Field Office-Division Chief Lourdes Arciaga, and WeGen President Charlie Ayco.
Chatto who chairs the Committee on Climate Change lauded the expansion of the solar power system in Pamilacan Island in Backayon, a noble project that WeGen installed in 2017 when he was then governor of Bohol.
The project “Kahayag sa Pamilacan” involved a donation of a 39-kilowatt power (kwp) solar photovoltaic rooftop installation and a 153-kilowatt hour battery storage system with the aim to provide electricity to the island’s residents.
The UNDP DREAMS project expands the power supply of the island from 39.8 kwp to 80.325 kwp.
It can be recalled that as then governor, Chatto had established the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group (BEDAG) to pursue independent land-based power in Bohol, and adopted a no to coal policy.
Meeting the growing demand for reliable, affordable power supply remains a priority of the Provincial Government under the leadership of Gov. Art Yap and Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos.
Pamilacan Island used to get electricity coming from a diesel generator provided by the Bohol 1 Electric Cooperative (BOHECO 1). Now, the island gets is power supply from the solar power facility.
Chatto during his first stint in Congress, placed Pamilacan Island along with other island barangays in the province under the National Power Corporation (NPC)-Small Power Utilities Group, which helped make the power cost in the island more affordable.
Chatto is optimistic that the expansion of the power supply in Pamilacan can bring opportunities for more growth and development.
The expansion of power supply project was implemented by the DOE through its Renewable Energy Management Bureau together with WeGen Laudato Si, and BOHECO I. The project proponents partnered with the Pamilacan Solar Credit Cooperative for fiscal management and the Department of Education (DepEd) for the use of the roofs of the schools for the solar power fixtures.