TANAUAN CITY, Batangas (PIA) – The inauguration of the 64-megawatt Tanauan Solar Power Plant, promises a brighter future for residents of Tanauan City in Batangas by offering clean climate job opportunities and bolstering the region’s power supply.
Councilor Francisco Pascua of Barangay Santol stated that the solar power plant will generate employment opportunities for residents and contribute to their development and livelihood funds, significantly benefiting their community.
“We were told that a part of their income would be shared with the barangay, which will be used as a development fund. They will also provide a livelihood fund, which will give income to our residents through the solar power plant,” Pascua explained.
Pascua added that the new facility will generate additional job opportunities for their community, as the plant will require employees for its maintenance and operation.
“They will need employees, and it would be better if they prioritize hiring from nearby areas like Malaking Pulo and Santol. Surely this will provide more jobs to our community,” the councilor added.
The switch to renewable energy is a welcome development for the city government, which aims to enhance sustainability and ultimately transform Tanauan into a ‘green city’.
Mayor Nelson Collantes stated that the new power plant will help reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
“With its cutting-edge technology and impressive capacity, the Tanauan Solar Power Plant will generate clean, renewable energy for thousands of homes. This will significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to the fight against climate change,” Collantes said.
Department of Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevarra said the solar power plant marks a significant milestone in the country’s transition towards clean energy. As part of the national renewable energy program, this initiative aims to achieve 35 percent renewable energy in the generation mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
“This project not only reduces our reliance on fossil fuels but also contributes to our efforts to combat climate change and mitigate its adverse effects on our environment,” Guevarra noted.
Guillaume Lucci, Prime Infra President and CEO, emphasized the significance of the Tanauan Solar Power Plant, especially in light of recurring red and yellow alerts in the country’s power grid.
“At a time when we have recurring yellow and red alerts, we are delighted to add capacity to the grid. We broke ground on this project in the second quarter of last year, and here we are a year later, fulfilling our promise to continuously contribute to the Philippines’ transition towards cleaner energy,” Lucci said.
Batangas Province plays a pivotal role in maintaining a stable power supply in the Luzon grid, particularly through the power plants in Calaca City. (PB/PIA-4A)
