By CESAR JOLITO III
The Negros Occidental provincial government is conducting an environmental assessment on the proposed 150-megawatt wind power project in Bago City, with officials closely examining its possible impact on migratory birds passing through the province.
Former governor and current Provincial Consultant on Energy and Environment Rafael Coscolluela said one of the major concerns is whether the planned wind turbines could disrupt the flight paths of migratory bird species that traverse Negros Occidental each year.
Coscolluela noted that the province lies within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, one of the world’s major migratory routes used by birds escaping winter conditions in northern countries.
Several areas in Negros Occidental serve as part of this ecological corridor.
To ensure that environmental risks are properly studied, the provincial government has sought the assistance of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation to conduct a scientific assessment of the project’s potential effects on bird populations and habitats.
The proposed wind farm is being developed by Thailand-based Sermsang Power Corporation through its acquisition of assets from Bago Negros Energy Corp.
According to an information memorandum submitted to the Stock Exchange of Thailand by Sermsang chief financial officer Chayut Leehacharoenkul, the project carries an estimated investment value of US$250 million.
The company said feasibility studies and detailed project evaluations were conducted before deciding to proceed with the investment.
The wind energy project involves the installation of turbines across seven barangays in Bago City and is expected to become operational within the next two years.
The villages — Busay, Balingasag, Calumangan, Napoles, Taloc, Sampinit, and Lag-asan — were identified in the notice of public scoping set on October 28 released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environment Management Bureau (EMB) in the Negros Island Region.
“Public scoping is an early stage in the environmental impact assessment process where the proponent aims to provide an overview of the proposed project, gather issues and concerns, and other relevant information to provide the scope of work and terms of reference for the preparation of the environmental impact statement,” the EMB said in a statement./CJ, WDJ