Germany-based Conergy has started construction on two solar plants totaling 22 MW in San Carlos City in the Philippines. The 350,000 square meter project involves 13 MW and 9 MW photovoltaic plants.
As the general contractor, Conergy is responsible for the planning and engineering, the supply and the construction of the two solar power plants. San Carlos Solar Energy Inc., a joint venture between developer Bronzeoak Philippines and asset-management firm ThomasLloyd, will own the plant when finished.
Conergy says the project will incorporate 88,300 of its P-Series PV modules and produce approximately 35 GWh of electricity per year. The company expects to complete the two plants in the first half of 2014.
‘With our market entry on the Philippines, we are opening up another attractive and emerging growth market in Asia, adding to our strong presence in Thailand,’ says Marc Lohoff, chief sales officer for Conergy in Asia and North America. ‘Together with our strategic investor Kawa, we have the necessary funding to efficiently implement our very promising project pipeline.’
Florida-based financial firm Kawa Capital Management Inc. acquired the sales and management assets of Conergy AG after the latter became insolvent.
Alexander Lenz, president of Conergy Asia and the Middle East, says that while the Philippine market is currently relatively small, the high cost of energy creates excellent opportunities for photovoltaics.
‘In the coming years, the government will cover around one third of the country's total energy needs by renewables,’ Lenz says. ‘Besides the large-scale projects, the strongly growing rooftop installation will contribute to that development. For the latter, the government has lately introduced net metering options.’
