The province of Bohol is set to harness the full power of the sun with the Php 1.2-billion Dagohoy Solar Power Project (DSPP). The 22-hectare area in Dagohoy completed site development in December last year, and the first array of the solar farm’s panels was installed on May 9, 2024 in a simple ceremony attended by Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado, Dagohoy Mayor Hermie Relampagos, Rizal Green Energy Corporation (RGEC) president Francisco Delfin, Jr., officials of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and representatives of TAISEI Corporation and S.N. Aboitiz Power Group.
The inaugural array consisted of 32 photovoltaic panels, each with a 665 watt capacity. They are strung together on a 21-meter-long table mounted one meter off the ground.
A New Dawn for Bohol
The DSPP will be covering the renewable energy farm with a total of 1,270 solar tables consisting of 40,628 solar panels. These are estimated to provide at least 27 megawatts of power, enough to power around 15,000 households within the province. The solar plant, located approximately 65 kilometers away from Bohol’s capital Tagbilaran City, is expected to be functional by the last quarter of 2024.
This marks the first solar power project in Bohol and is a crucial step towards harnessing even more renewable and alternative energy sources.
Renewed Prospects for Clean Energy
At the ceremony, Aumentado expressed his excitement over this initiative, stating that the project will play a significant role in addressing the province’s growing electricity demand, and in reducing its reliance on power supply from Leyte and Cebu.
He said, ““Nalipay ko kay dako og tabang sa lalawigan sa Bohol. Kay we can’t invite investors without power. With this development, dako ning tabang sa lalawigan sa Bohol.” (I’m pleased because this will greatly benefit Bohol. We can’t invite investors without power. This development will be a big help for the province.)