COTABATO CITY (PIA) --Thirteen sites in five Provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were identified by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) as potential sources of renewable energy.

According to Nasiri Abas, director of MENRE’s Energy Management and Development Services, their team has found promising areas within the region that can possibly provide additional power supply in the coming years.

The areas under assessment include Sifaran, Nituan, Micolabo, Bulingan, Tumbok, Baitalmal, Salisip and four other falls inside the 5 provinces of Bangsamoro. Two solar farms situated in the municipalities of Sitangkai and Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi were also labeled as favorable areas for energy source.

Among these sites, Sifaran Falls was tagged as the area with the highest potential with an estimated power generation capacity of 500 to 1000 kilowatts which can cover the power demand of two municipalities in Maguindanao based on the preliminary studies conducted.

Solar power plants in Sitangkai, and Sibutu were eyed to augment the power distribution capacity of the islands to properly cater the demand for electricity of the seaweed producers in these municipalities.

“The BARMM government is projecting an increase of economic and agricultural activities in the next few years so it is essential to start our plans in generating our own energy from renewable energy resources in the region,” Abas explained.

MENRE is formulating the 1st Bangsamoro Energy Development Plan with the inclusion of data from survey, validation and consultations together with local stakeholders in the region. Abas told PIA Cotabato that they are doubling their efforts to complete the roadmap as soon as possible.

He also mentioned that some local and foreign investors expressed interest in supporting the plans of the Ministry to revolutionize the energy industry in BARMM.

Under BARMM-MENRE Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua’s leadership, this is the first time that the region will focus on development, utilization and conservation of region’s renewable energy resources while maximizing its potential for future power generation. (Allan Biwang Jr/With reports from Jab Marohom, MENRE-BARMM)