The remote island of Capul in Northern Samar, renowned for its strong marine currents, will soon host the very first tidal power generation plant in Southeast Asia.
The renewable energy project, spearheaded by Energies Ph Inc. through its affiliate San Bernardino Ocean Power Corp., has awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to the UK-based Inyanga Marine Energy Group.
A New Wave of Technology
Inyanga’s innovative HydroWing tidal stream technology and tidal stream turbines will be connected to Capul’s electrical network, providing a reliable and sustainable alternative to the island’s current reliance on a 750-kilowatt diesel power plant.
The initial stage of the project involves connecting the power plant to a microgrid network coupled with solar photovoltaics and energy storage, ensuring a cost-competitive and clean energy solution.
A Turn of the Tide for Capul
Inyanga’s commercial manager, Jean Christophe Allo, highlights the round-the-clock power supply that the tidal turbines will deliver to the area, addressing Capul’s current energy challenges of experiencing blackouts and limited access to electricity. Power is typically available for only eight to 16 hours daily on the off-grid island.
Inyanga’s CEO, Richard Parkinson, further underscores the predictability and reliability of tidal stream energy as the renewable energy source of choice for this pioneering project in Southeast Asia. “Our HydroWing technology is at the cutting edge of innovation and provides a cost-effective solution to harvesting the power of the ocean’s tides,” he said.
Capul Island’s proximity to the San Bernardino Strait, a narrow passage that intensifies tidal currents in the area, offers an estimated potential of 500 megawatts from tidal stream energy.
Inyanga stands at the forefront of innovation in harnessing the sustainable power of the ocean’s tides. The company’s two divisions, HydroWing and Inyanga Maritime, specialize in tidal energy technology development and offshore engineering/installation, respectively. HydroWing is Inyanga’s flagship tidal stream project in Wales.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
Energies Ph, the project lead, aims to replicate this initiative in various off-grid locations across the country, with the goal of providing clean energy to remote communities.
“We see the initial project in Capul as a catapult to achieving our goal of helping create sustainable communities across the Philippines,” states Energies Ph CEO Antonio Ver.
On another occasion, Ver shared that the Department of Energy has confirmed the commercial viability of the project and that tidal energy is already integrated into the country’s comprehensive energy plan.