8 NOVEMBER 2010

Department of Energy (DOE) visits Green Power Nueva Ecija Philippines Inc. (GPNEPI) site to conduct due diligence to determine the sustainability of biomass supply for the GPNEPI 17.5MW multi-fuel biomass power plant

On November 8, 2010, the Department of Energy (DOE) visited the project site of Green Power Nueva Ecija Philippines Inc. (GPNEPI) in Barangay Tambo, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. DOE technical staff, Ramon Jaurigue and Jeffrey Santos of the Biomass Division met with other stakeholders for the project. The due diligence conducted by the DOE was intended to determine the sustainability, collectability and availability of biomass resources to supply the required feedstock for the 17.5MW GPNEPI multi-fuel biomass power plant.

The DOE staff discussed the biomass supply scenario with the owners of one of the biggest rice mills in Nueva Ecija and is also one of GPNEPI’s strategic partners in-charge of rice husks supply, logistics and hauling operations. Mr. Fernando Balla, Senior Institutional Development Officer of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region III Office validated the total hectarage in the province planted with palay as well as the potential yield of rice straw which will be available for the biomass power plant of GPNEPI. The President of an existing Farmers’ Association in the province likewise confirmed that the Association has signed a 25-year biomass supply contract with GPNEPI.

Among the GPNEPI personnel who accompanied the DOE staff were John Cesar Santos (Project Development Manager), Leo Carias (Senior Project Development Specialist), Bernabe Sucaldito (Project Development Specialist), and Mark Gil Verzola (Biologist).