To ensure that the ambitious Pax Silica will have its very own power supply to meet its needs, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) recently announced that the proponents are studying the construction of a dedicated power plant, according to a business news report by GMA News.
Previously a P7 billion investment of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for Pax Silica’s energy supply was prompted. New Clark City was chosen to host the artificial intelligence (AI) hub.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Sunday that proponents of the US-led Pax Silica project in New Clark City, Tarlac, are studying the construction of a dedicated power plant to ensure the facility does not compete with nearby residential communities for electricity.
Pax Silica has faced scrutiny over its projected resource requirements, with the BCDA estimating that the facility could require up to 3 gigawatts (3 million kilowatts) of power at full development.
“‘Yung kuryente, pinag-aaralan nila na magkaroon ng dedicated power plant… na hindi ito magsasapanganib sa supply ng kuryente lalo na para sa mga residential na komunidad. Ayaw rin nila ‘yon,” BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
(Regarding power, they are studying the establishment of a dedicated power plant so that it will not jeopardize the electricity supply, especially for residential communities. They also want to avoid that.)
Bingcang said officials have discussed power and water requirements with the project’s proponents and partners from the United States, Japan, and South Korea, who also want to ensure that the facility has sufficient utility supplies.
“Kasi kung nakikita nilang wala, hindi rin pupunta ‘yung mga industriya na ito. So gusto nila, ‘pag pupunta rin sila dito, is stable, reliable at maaasahan ang kuryente,” Bingcang said.
(Because if they see that there is insufficient supply, these industries will not come. So if they invest here, they want the power supply to be stable, reliable, and dependable.)
“Kaya ngayon po, kasama na po, hindi lang po sa paggawa ng mga planta doon sa New Clark City, tinitingnan din nila ‘yung ecosystem,” he added.
(That is why they are looking not only at building plants in New Clark City but also at the entire ecosystem.)
Bingcang said this ecosystem includes the availability and reliability of power and water, as well as infrastructure, airports, seaports, and other facilities.
Clean, green energy – The BCDA said Pax Silica aims to use clean and green energy, with solar farms among the primary options being considered.
“So ang una po naming tiningnan dito ay solar farms. So meron na po tayong inaprubahan na solar project po diyan—ang mamumuhunan po ay sa Saudi Arabia,” Bingcang said.
(The first option we looked at was solar farms. We have already approved a solar project there involving an investor from Saudi Arabia.)
“Susunod po, hinihikayat na rin o nire-regulate na rin ng Department of Energy magkaroon ng mga battery storage… Kasi ang solar farm po ay mga ilang oras lang po, ‘pag gabi, wala na, so kailangan meron pong imbakan o storage ng baterya para sa maipon na enerhiya sa mga solar farm,” he added.
(Next, the Department of Energy is encouraging and regulating the use of battery storage. Solar farms generate power only during the day, so battery storage systems are needed to store energy for use when solar power is unavailable.)
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think Pax Silica will eventually have its very own, high-capacity power plant to ensure it has sufficient energy while sparing the local communities that relied on the national power grid? Do you think solar power is sufficient for Pax Silica which will have AI-related projects?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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