The first Davao Oriental Solar Power Generation Plant will start operating in March 2024, which is hoped to eventually address power outages and higher electricity costs.

King Shing Donny Yeung, chief executive officer of DY Green Energy Corporation, revealed during the ground-breaking ceremony of the solar power plant on October 9 that they will commence the development of the area in November 2023 and hopefully start generating power in the first quarter of 2024.

The renewable energy plant is located in a 40-hectare area recently acquired by the provincial government in Barangay Maputi, Banaybanay town.

Solution to Power Problems in the Province

Governor Uy emphasized that the solar power plant is set to address the increasing energy demands of the province and hopefully put an end to the recurring issue of power outages.

“Dili nato ma-deny ang kamatuoran nga we do really have problems when it comes to our power sector; so lisod kaayo ang pag push sa atong economic programs kung wala pud tay sakto ug stable nga kuryente (We cannot deny the truth that we do really have problems when it comes to our power sector; so it  is really difficult to push our economic programs if we do not have enough and stable electricity),” Uy said.

In the social media page of Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative (DORECO), unscheduled power interruptions were caused mainly by uncleared vegetation near electric posts, fallen trees due to heavy rains and winds, and birds shocked in the power lines.

Engr. Gregory Dukil, former general manager of DORECO and now consultant of the province’s Renewable Energy Development Technical Assistance Services, also said that outages were also caused by breakdowns or scheduled maintenance of power plants.

“Renewable energy ma ni. (This is renewable energy.) This is free. This comes from nature, coming from the sun. Ang nakamahal lang man gud ani ang pag-establish lang sa solar plant, kani bang ginatawag natog development cost (The one that makes this costly is the establishment of the solar plant; the one we term as development cost,” Dukil said.

Dukil also bared that in their study, the plant can harvest only 20 to 30 percent of its capacity during the start of its operation.

Even with this number, and when mixed with other power sources like coal and diesel, power prices may still decrease, he said.

Dukil’s co-consultant Dashiel Indelible Jr. clarified that they cannot categorically compute the decrease of the electricity rates as it will depend on the energy supply agreement between generation company and the electric distribution.

As of this writing, DY Green Energy Corporation and DORECO will still meet for the supply agreement.

Indelible also said that based on other communities in the country with solar power generation, their rates have really decreased.

According to the social media post of DORECO, the basic power rates per kilowatt hour (kWh) for residential in the province is at P12.2092 for the month of September.

This is the second highest electricity rate in the region, with the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative supplying electricity to Davao de Oro and parts of Davao del Norte at P13.0205 per kWh.

The rates of other players in the region are P 9.45 per kWh for Davao Light and Power Company and P11.1730 per kWh for Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative.

Opportunities for Davao Oriental

Governor Uy also pointed out that the solar plant aligns with the province’s long-standing commitment to promoting a greener and more sustainable future for the province.

“Harnessing the abundance of solar energy potential of Davao Oriental will be a substantial contribution to reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change,” he said.

Aside from providing additional power supply, the governor also said that the plant will create job opportunities, boost investments, and enhance the province’s tourism industry.

As for employment, Barangay Captain Ariel Sison of Maputi, Banaybanay expressed gratitude that the plant is situated in their village as it will surely utilize the residents in its workforce.

“Trabaho juy pinaka importante sa amoa kay actually, kasagaran dagat lang may gisaligan (What is important to us is the employment the project brings, because actually, most of us are depending only on the abundance of the sea),” he said.

Banaybanay Mayor Lemuel Ian Larcia said that the local government unit will coordinate with the corporation to discuss, among others, the recruitment process. (MLU/PIA Davao Oriental/Thumbnail photo courtesy by PLGU Davao Oriental)