Police clears pilferage problem in Burgos (Ilocos Norte) windmills construction

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

Laoag City—The Police cleared on an alleged extortion activity at the on-going construction of the 87-megawatt Burgos wind power farm, which is expected to commence before the end of this year.

Acting provincial police director P/Sr. Supt. Antonio Mendoza Jr., said a team of law enforcers recently visited the site to validate reports reaching Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos about the ‘presence’ of New People’s Army rebels.

“We have received information about it. But when we went there to validate said information, we were able to confirm it’s not true,” Mr. Mendoza said explaining that there are just some pilferage problem identified there with some suspected local residents who are now being monitored.

Launched on June 21, 2013, the Energy Development Corporation started actual construction works at the site for the initial 87-megawatt Burgos wind farm which will eventually become a 150-megawatt wind power farm when fully operational.

To date, several windmills of the 29 initial windmills to be installed in the sprawling 600-hectare barren lands are now installed at the site.

It may be recalled that the Department of Energy   granted the $ 300 million-worth Burgos wind farm a certificate of commerciality on May 16, 2013.

Once operational, the Burgos wind power farm would be one of the biggest on-going investment projects in the province which is expected to generate about 233 GWh of electricity in a year or enough to power more than a million households and augment the Luzon grid’s power capacity.