The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Malay, Aklan has re-endorsed the 13.2-megawatt phase 2 project of PetroWind Energy Inc. (PWEI) following compliance to various environmental permits, PWEI said in a statement yesterday,
PWEI started site development of the project in March 2023 after securing a P1.8-billion loan from Development Bank of the Philippines to partially fund the renewable energy project.
The first three wind turbine generators (WTWTGs) located on the Nabas side were completed recently and started testing and commissioning on April 4, supplying much needed electricity to power-starved Panay island.
Work on the three remaining WTGs on the Malay side had to be put on hold last August after the Malay SB revoked the project endorsement it issued in January 2021.
In response to the requests of Malay SB and Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan to monitor the Phase 2 project and its impact to the environment, DENR units conducted site inspections and documents review of the project from August 2023 to January 2024.
DENR-6 and DENR — Environment Management Bureau (EMB-6) confirmed PWEI’s Phase 2 substantially complied with all environmental rules and regulations.
Both agencies confirmed that gabions and silt barriers were installed, and siltation mitigation measures were properly implemented.
Civil works spoils were hauled off to previously approved sites located outside of the project area.
The DENR reports to the Aklan SP and Malay SB further affirmed the development of Phase 2 did not affect nearby rivers and that PWEI followed the rules in stakeholder engagement and public consultation.
Malay barangay officials of Argao and Cogon, expressed support for Phase 2 as long as all mitigating measures will be put in place.
