The $12-million Wind Power Project of off-grid electricity generator DMCI Power Corp, or DPC, is expected to augment the power supply in Semirara Island, home of the country's biggest coal reserve, by as much as 12 megawatts, or MW, by the end of the year.

"We are undertaking a 12-MW onshore wind in Semirara Island and we see that the potential can reach as much as 100 MW. If so, we will use submarine cable to export power to Mindoro," DMCI Holdings chairman and president Isidro Consunji told reporters over dinner last week.

In a 2001 wind resource study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a United States Department of Energy laboratory, it was found that Semirara Island has "some of the best wind resources in the Philippines."

The wind corridors between Luzon and Panay—including the Semirara Islands and extending to the Cuyo Islands—were found to have good-to-excellent wind power density and speed for utility-scale or village power applications.

The solar venture is also underway

Separately, DPC president Antonino E. Gatdula, Jr. disclosed that the company is also undertaking a 4-MW solar project in Masbate, which is envisioned to provide power for the Masbate Electric Cooperative, or Maselco.

"We are just waiting for the Energy Regulatory Commission because we are done with the pre-filing and ERC just wanted us to meet some additional requirements. Once these are done, we will file for a Power Supply Agreement," Gatdula said.

Gatdula added that wind power could potentially deliver about 30 percent plant utilization rate, higher compared to just 17 percent for solar. Yet, capital expenditure per megawatt for resources is also roughly the same.

DPC's venture into renewable energy development will complement the government's initiatives to increase the share of renewable energy in the country's total energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

The DPC was established in 2006 to provide sufficient and reliable electricity to areas that are not connected to the main transmission grid, such as Masbate, Palawan, and Mindoro.