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Ilocos Norte is preparing to welcome a major new addition to its growing portfolio of renewable energy (RE) projects. Alba Renewables Philippines Corp. will construct the province’s first hybrid clean energy plant through a lease agreement with the provincial government, marking a significant milestone for the region’s sustainable energy landscape. The project, spanning the towns of Bangui and Burgos, promises to deliver not only clean power but also economic and social benefits for local communities.
The hybrid facility will occupy around 100 hectares of the Dungon-Dungon Estate, a government-owned property stretching across Barangay Baruyen in Bangui and Barangay Nagsurot in Burgos. While the estate totals 256.88 hectares, much of the land has remained underutilized over the years. The Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Office (INvest Office) recognized the site’s potential for RE development and, following careful feasibility studies, matched it with Alba Renewables.
“The project is expected to create jobs, provide training for local residents, generate lease revenues for the provincial government, and extend assistance to host Barangays,” said INvest Office head Ronaleigh Bueno.
Planned as the province’s first hybrid plant, the facility will combine wind and solar generation with a battery energy storage system (BESS). By harnessing the favorable wind and solar conditions of Bangui and Burgos—areas already home to operational renewable energy farms—the project aims to ensure a reliable, continuous power supply.
(Also read: Rushing Offshore Wind Could Spike Power Bills for Filipino Households)
Lease signing and expected impact
The formal lease signing between the provincial government and Alba Renewables took place in September, concluding eight months of feasibility studies and technical evaluations.
Andres Martin Buldu, chief development officer of Alba Renewables Philippines Corp., described the process: “We have conducted a series of technical and economic assessments for the project, finetuning layouts and running a combination of technologies to finalize an investment case.” He added that the agreement will activate the capital needed to integrate wind and solar energy generation with advanced BESS.
The hybrid plant is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional power generation while creating employment for thousands of Ilocanos, both during construction and operational phases. Alba Renewables is targeting an investment of around $100 million, while the provincial government is set to receive P6 million annually in lease payments, in addition to taxes.
At the ceremonial signing in the Capitol’s session hall, Vice Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to supporting the project. “We assure you of our support as a business-friendly provincial government. We really look for investments that truly benefit our people,” he said. Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos also expressed gratitude to Manotoc for laying the groundwork for the project during his previous term.
(Also read: A Costly Clean-Energy Transition May Soon Hit Household Bills)
Ilocos Norte solidifies RE leadership
Strategically located in the Northern Philippines, Ilocos Norte serves as a vital commercial gateway, linking North and Central Luzon to key Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Bueno emphasized the broader significance of the initiative, noting that it will further bolster Ilocos Norte’s status as the RE capital of the Philippines. The province’s strategic location in Northern Luzon, ready infrastructure, competitive labor costs, reasonable permit fees, and supportive governance make it an ideal destination for investment not only in RE but also in tourism, food and agriculture, creative industries, and responsible mining.
To encourage more developments aligned with its priority industries, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently approved special incentives, allowing developers to lease underutilized government land for up to five years. These policies support sectors ranging from RE and manufacturing to IT-BPM, tourism, and agriculture, creating an environment conducive to sustainable economic growth.
Alba Renewables’ hybrid plant exemplifies this vision, promising to advance clean energy, provide local employment, and reinforce Ilocos Norte’s reputation as a model for renewable development in the country.
Sources:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1258147
https://powerphilippines.com/alba-renewables-to-build-ilocos-nortes-first-hybrid-clean-energy-plant/