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Part of Rep. Ongchuan’s renewable energy campaign
TACLOBAN CITY – Northern Samar is set to emerge as a major player in the Philippines’ renewable energy drive after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved the grid connection of the 206-megawatt (MW) San Isidro Wind Power Project, a development welcomed by 2nd District Rep. Edwin Ongchuan as a “transformative step” for the province’s economic and environmental future.
The wind project, located in San Isidro town, is being developed by Lihangin Wind Energy Corporation (LWEC)-a joint venture among Aboitiz Renewables Inc., Vivant Energy Corp., and Singapore-based Vena Energy.
The ERC approval, which was made public last week, clears the way for the facility to connect to the Visayas grid through the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) substations in Calbayog City and San Isidro, ensuring its generated power contributes to the region’s supply stability once commercial operations begin in February 2026.
Rep. Ongchuan, a former provincial governor who promoted the use of renewable energy sources in his province, lauded the ERC’s decision as a reflection of Northern Samar’s growing role in the national energy transition, describing it as “a realization of the groundwork laid years ago to make the province investment-ready.”
“The ERC approval of the San Isidro Wind Power Project is a continuation of what we started under the Winvest initiative,” Ongchuan, in a statement issued on Wednesday, Oct.8, said, referring to his administration’s flagship campaign—short for Winning Investments—which sought to attract sustainable and job-generating ventures.
“This development affirms Northern Samar’s readiness to host large-scale renewable projects that create livelihood opportunities while advancing our shift to clean and reliable power,” he added.
Officials said the project has already secured key permits from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Once operational, it will supply up to 206 MW of clean energy to the Visayas grid, helping reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and supporting the Marcos administration’s target of achieving a 35% renewable energy share in the power mix by 2030.
The San Isidro Wind Power Project features 33 wind turbine generators with a capacity to produce 206.25 megawatts of electricity, along with over 130 transmission towers.
It will occupy about 176 hectares of land with wind turbines in the coastal villages of Salvacion, San Juan, Palanit, Mabuhay, Veriato, and Caglanipao.
Ongchuan also reaffirmed his commitment to advancing legislation that promotes renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, stressing that the private sector’s participation remains vital in achieving inclusive and resilient development.
“Partnerships like this underscore how government and industry can work hand in hand to deliver solutions that benefit communities, the environment, and future generations,” he said.
The San Isidro Wind Power Project is expected to generate local employment during its construction and operations phases, boost municipal revenues, and position Northern Samar as one of Eastern Visayas’ front-runners in renewable energy development.
JOEY A. GABIETA
