Keon: 2 gov’t agencies coddling illegal loggers

NEWS

120 MW wind farm set to be erected in Pasuquin

But PGIN files motion for permanent injunction vs upgrade

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporters

TRANZEN Group Inc., a local firm headed by businessman Salvador Zamora II and a British-based fund management group are set to put up a 120-megawatt wind power farm in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Mariano V. Marcos II reported.

If plans don’t miscarry, the proposed 120-MW wind farm worth approximately US$250 million would be thrice as much as Northwind’s power farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

Marcos accompanied British Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham, along with Zamora and TC Kundi. Berkerly Energy managing director, in paying a courtesy call to Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael M. Keon at the Provincial Capitol.

Berkerly Energy is a private equity fund specializing in renewable energy infrastructure investments in Asia.

Amidst problems on financial sector, Beckingham told reporters at the Capitol that the “British government welcomes climate change and alternative energy as a major priority” for investment because “climate change is absolutely crucial for every country.”

After studying Ilocos Norte’s investment potential for “green energy”, he said a British company with business partners from the country is looking for a significant number of investments in the Philippines, which include the province, being the first in Southeast Asia to venture on wind farms.

“We are very pleased the Philippines and Ilocos Norte will be one of the first sites for this new development from the United Kingdom with Philippine government,” the British envoy said.

The proposed wind farm, which would be located near the Sapat base of the Philippine Airforce, will be a 60-40 joint venture between Tranzen and Berkerly Energy.

After meeting with concerned local officials in the province, one of the biggest wind farms on the province is expected to start on the last quarter of 2009 or next year.

Aside from considering renewable energy investment in the province, Beckingham said British nationals are fascinated to try Ilocos Norte’s surfing destination like Pagudpud and to bring in more tourists here.

Part of the itinerary of the British envoy’s two-day visit is to try surfing in Pagudpud’s surfing sites.