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Nueva Vizcaya is stepping up efforts to tap its renewable energy (RE) potential, actively courting investors for hydro and solar power projects to drive sustainable growth in the province.
The province marked a major step toward clean energy development with its first Connecting Low Emission Alternatives (CLEAN) Energy Investment Forum held on September 11, 2025, at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center in Bayombong.
Organized by the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PROCEDE), the event gathered experts from the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Bureau of Investments (BOI), along with representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and the private sector to discuss investment opportunities and pathways for advancing RE in the province.
(Also read: New 10 MW Solar Project to Power Bayambang, Pangasinan)
Tapping its RE potential
A staunch advocate of RE, Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito attended the event, affirming his full support and the province’s strong investment potential. Several clean energy initiatives are already underway in Alfonso Castañeda, with preliminary assessments ongoing in Kasibu, Santa Fe, and Dupax del Sur for wind and geothermal projects.
Sustainability is at the heart of Gambito’s vision for Nueva Vizcaya, as the provincial government has begun installing solar panels in major buildings within the capitol complex, including the Carlos Padilla Convention Center and the Patricio Dumlao Executive Building, backed by an initial allocation of ₱51 million.
Gambito also highlighted his flagship “Silaw ti Umili” or Light for the Villagers program, which seeks to bring solar power to 3,000 households in remote and mountainous areas beyond the reach of the local electric cooperative. With ₱14.7 million in funding, the initiative reflects the province’s drive to make clean, reliable energy accessible to all communities.
Meanwhile, the forum featured detailed presentations on clean energy types, feasibility, and regulatory requirements. PROCEDE Head Juditte L. Asuncion outlined Nueva Vizcaya’s RE status and investment incentives, while DOE experts discussed the province’s potential for solar, hydro, and wind projects. The Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative (NUVELCO) also expressed support for renewable initiatives, noting plans to expand connectivity and promote local energy storage solutions.
Provincial Planning and Development Officer Edgardo Sabado highlighted the province’s strong hydro and solar potential, particularly in upland areas covered by ancestral domain titles of Indigenous Peoples. However, discussions also raised concerns about development encroaching on ancestral lands, which the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) addressed by outlining the legal frameworks and certification processes required to protect Indigenous rights.
(Also read: PH Offshore Wind Hits Rough Waters)
Attracting investors
With Nueva Vizcaya’s thriving natural wealth, stable environment, and strong government backing, Gambito said the province is well-positioned to attract and sustain RE investments. “Nueva Vizcaya offers a promising opportunity for investors to contribute to the province’s growth while promoting environmental sustainability,” he noted.
The governor also emphasized that the province’s status as an insurgency-free province enhances its appeal. “This status allows government and private partners to carry out projects even in far-flung areas with fewer security-related disruptions, strengthening investor confidence and enabling development to proceed more smoothly,” he stated.
Sources:
https://nuevavizcaya.gov.ph/nueva-vizcaya-hosts-clean-energy-forum/
https://pia.gov.ph/news/nueva-vizcaya-opens-doors-to-solar-hydropower-investors