PGMA to inaugurate P3-B bio-ethanol plant in San Carlos, Negros Occ.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will inaugurate today the country’s first bio-ethanol plant in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The more or less P3-billion San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. (SCBI) project is expected to deliver twin objectives of “energy security and environmental sustainability,” according to the San Carlos Information Office.
Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias said the ethanol production would lessen the Philippines oil dependence on foreign sources thus making an impact on the country’s foreign currency requirement.
Partially, it will meet part of the country’s fuel ethanol requirements as mandated by the Biofuels Law of 2006 and make the Philippines complaint to the international regulation on renewable energy.
“It will also add another revenue stream for our farmers there because there would already be a year-round production of sugarcane such that they will no longer experience tiempos muertos,” he added.
Further, the plant is expected to lessen the rate of power because the company is entertaining the possibility of selling its excess power to the Negros Occidental grid.
This will make power more stable in Negros Occidental because they will have an additional source aside from geothermal,” he said.
Banias said the plant can produce around 125,000 liters of ethanol per day or 40 million liter a year and generate power of up to eight megawatts.
“We expect that the plant will go full swing on its operation after the inauguration,” Banias said.
The project was established by the Bronzeoak Philippines with support from the National Development Company, the government’s investment arm, MAJENT Group of the Jimenezes and local shareholders San Julio Realty and Valmayor Ventures.
International funding was infused by FE Clean Energy of New York
President Arroyo will arrive at the new Bacolod-Silay airport of international standard mid-morning Friday and will proceed via chopper to San Carlos City. (PNA)