THE 44th Meeting of the Expert Group on New and Renewable Energy Technologies (EGNRET44), a sub-working group of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), began on Monday at the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, considered as an emerging renewable energy capital in Southeast Asia.
“As an emerging renewable energy capital in the country, and even in Southeast Asia, we are proud that the province had been chosen to host the meeting to be attended by experts, engineers, and scientists from all over the world, as well as local Filipino scientists who wish to see the operations of our wind farms, the new solar power plant, and the rehabilitated hydropower plant here in Ilocos Norte,” Governor Imee Marcos said in a press statement.
Member economies of the APEC attending the meeting are Hongkong, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, and the Philippines, which co-chairs the EGNRET with Chinese Taipei.
The EGNRET is chaired by Dr. Chung-Hsien Chen of Chinese Taipei’s Ministry of Economic Affairs-Bureau of Energy, and co-chaired by Director Mario Marasigan of the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau.
In his welcome address on Monday morning, Marasigan said Ilocos Norte has a unique renewable technology program that features a solar power installation inside a wind power facility in the northern town of Burgos.
The province is already home to wind farms that produce 283 megawatts (MW) of power, in the towns of Burgos, Bangui, and Pagudpud.
Last year, two big wind farm projects went on operation — the 150-MW Burgos wind farm project of the Energy Development Corporation, and the 81-MW Caparispisan wind energy project of the North Luzon Renewable Energy Corporation in Pagudpud. The Northwind project in Bangui has also been expanded from 33 MW to 52 MW.
Delegates from APEC member economies have arrived in the province for the meeting and workshops on renewable energy.
Technical experts or division chiefs of BIG SHOW (Biomass, Biofuel, Geothermal, Solar, Hydro, Ocean, and Wind) sectors has joined the delegates.
The result of the Ilocos Norte meeting will be presented to APEC energy officials in October during the Energy Ministers’ Meeting (EMM12) to be held in Cebu.
The EGNRET aims to facilitate the increase in the use of new and renewable energy technologies in the APEC region.
The energy working group will continue the implementation of new and renewable energy technology workshops and projects that help build the needed human capacity to implement renewable energy development across the Asia Pacific.
Governor Marcos has organized a welcome dinner for the delegates on Monday (April 13) at the premises of the world heritage Paoay Church.
The delegates will be regaled with cultural presentations, featuring the internationally acclaimed Samiweng Singers and Ilocano dancers.
A night tour will also be offered to delegates who want to explore Ilocos Norte’s capital and neighboring towns.
Governor Marcos expressed hope that by hosting the meeting, Ilocos Norte would be included in the APEC map, making the province a top venue for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.
The Philippines is hosting the 2015 APEC Summit, which carries the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” (PIA -Region 1)
