The three wind mills in
Mahatao in the island province of Batanes – considered as the first wind farm
of Southeast Asia, continue to draw tourists despite their present condition,
that is, they have been folded down and not currently used because it is in
dire need of major repairs. The spare parts for the same however, are not
readily available in the country as they are imported machineries. The site of
the three wind mills itself is frequently visited by tourist as one of their
must see destinations in their itinerary.
The wind mills are hybrid
power source and specially designed for Batanes consisting of three
600-kilowatt wind turbines meant to supply Batanes with 24/7 electricity. Because
Batanes is frequently visited by Typhoons, the wind mills bend to avoid being
toppled down by strong wilds. The towers were designed to be tilted-down and
the turbines can be lowered and then raised again after the typhoon has passed
over the island. When the wind is not strong enough to run the turbines, it
automatically runs the two 500-kw diesel generators to ensure that the island
continues to have electricity.
The renewable wind mill
energy project was started in 1997 when electricity in Batanes was provided by
the National Power Corporation (subsidized by the government) which provided
electricity from six o’clock in the morning up to midnight only.
The power plant was
especially designed for Batanes with First Philippine Energy Corporation (FPEC),
a subsidiary of contractor First Generation Holdings Corporation which is dedicated
to the development of renewable energy projects. FPEC interconnected with a French
firm, Vergnet, to design three 600-kilowatt wind turbines and with the
Australian company Advanced Energy System for the integration of the whole
system. It is the result of a partnership by the private sector with the
government. This project is one of its kind because it was never done before. The
wind mills have ceased to operate after several strong typhoons passed through
the Batanes causing serious damage to the wind mills.
NAPOCOR have since
provided electricity on a 24-hour daily basis through large diesel generators. Today, there is 24/7 electricity which have sustained
the trade, industry and hospitality sectors, also ushered the increased influx
of tourists.
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| Two of the three wind mills of Mahatao. |
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| The wind mills remain tilted down for need of repairs. |
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| The towers are designed to be tilted-down and the turbines can be
lowered during typhoons. |
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| Site visit and brief history of the wind mills. |
