President Bongbong Marcos (Photo courtesy of RTVM)
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated the largest wind farm in the Philippines, located in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
The wind farm, with a capacity of 160 megawatts (MW), was developed by ACEN Corporation, led by Ayala Group, in support of the government’s green energy initiatives.
During the inauguration of the Pagudpud Wind project, President Marcos emphasized the significance of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
He acknowledged the project as a crucial part of the country’s efforts to diversify its energy mix, stating that it is the largest wind farm in the Philippines.
President Marcos highlighted that the shift to renewables is not only about addressing climate change and increasing the share of renewable energy but also a practical approach to conducting business in the present era.
Accompanied by his son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos Jr., and Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, President Marcos expressed gratitude to the Ayala Group for their ongoing support in promoting renewable energy in the Philippines.
The Pagudpud Wind project, costing nearly P12 billion, was funded by ACEN in partnership with UPC Renewables. Construction commenced in 2021, and the wind farm is expected to reach its full operational capacity by 2025.
ACEN Corporation stated that the project features 32 wind turbines, each capable of generating 5 MW of power, making it the largest wind farm in the country. The company has previously developed two other wind projects in Ilocos Norte: the NorthWind wind farm in Bangui and the North Luzon Renewables wind farm in Pagudpud.
Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Corp. expressed immense pride in the accomplishment, adding that their renewable projects would contribute 700 MW of power generation this year.
Once the Pagudpud Wind project is fully operational, it is projected to power approximately 123,875 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 344,600 metric tons annually.
The first phase of the project, accounting for 80 MW, was completed in the first quarter. ACEN’s President and CEO, Eric Francia, stated that the remaining 80 MW would be completed by December 2025 as part of the Energy department’s Green Energy Auction Program.
Francia also mentioned ACEN’s consideration of offshore wind projects, noting that there are still significant opportunities for onshore wind developments. However, he stressed the need to address transmission challenges to unlock the potential of onshore and future offshore wind projects in Ilocos.
Another wind project, the Capa Wind farm with a capacity of 70 MW, is expected to be mostly operational within the next 12 months in Pagudpud. Francia stated that subsequent phases of the project would also be completed in the next 12 months, well ahead of the 2025 target.
Following the inauguration, ACEN’s share price experienced a 0.82 percent increase to P6.15 on the Philippine Stock Exchange, outperforming the benchmark index’s 0.54 percent rise. (ai/mtvn)
