Buhawind Energy Northern Luzon Corp. (BENLC) said it has obtained the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) before the development of the 2,000-megawatt (MW) offshore wind energy project in Ilocos Norte.
The pre-development ECC allows developers to continue to understand the activities needed to understand the physical and social conditions of the region before starting the project, the company said in a media launch on Monday.
Data from geophysical, geotechnical, marine, environmental and social surveys will be used to develop the design of offshore wind projects and to assess potential environmental impacts on the site.
Benlc is a joint venture between Yuchengco member Petrogreen Energy Corp. (PGEC) and Danish company Copenhagen Energy Group.
“With the approval of the pre-development ECC, we will begin a systematic, comprehensive and scientific research on the physical and social environment of the website, which will not only comply with international industry standards, but also provide a factual basis for evaluating development issues.”
The offshore wind project in northern Luzon is one of the projects certified by BENLC as a nationally significant energy project. Other certified offshore wind projects include 1,000 MW of Beimindolo and 1,000 MW of Dongpan.
Projects certified as energy projects of national significance are eligible for accelerated licensing and review procedures from local and national government agencies.
The project also received a Greenway Certificate from the Investment Commission as a “strategic investment that aligns with the country’s development agenda”.
PGEC’s parent company, Petroenergy Resources Corp., aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to 500 MW by 2029 by adding the existing 145 MW. – Sheldeen Joy Talavera
