PNOC Renewables to complete first tidal power plant in 2022

PNOC Renewables Corp. aims to complete the country's first tidal power plant by the end of the term of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2022.

"That's what we are targeting, Pedro Lite, Jr., PNOC Renewables vice president for operations, told GMA News Online Wednesday.

At this point, the company intends to highlight renewable energy from ocean waves, considering that the geothermal era has somewhat peaked. "So, we're looking at the other vast resources of the country – it's a lot of water," Lite said.

PNOC Renewables plans to build an in-stream energy conversion facility in three concession areas in the San Bernardino Strait between Matnog in the province of Sorsogon, and in Capul and Dalupiri in Northern Samar.

Lite said the project is currently it the first phase. "Purely, data gathering. So more in the pre-development stage, application of permits." he said.

At the same time, the company is studying underwater currents in the concession areas. "You need to determine what the current underwater is, and then the structural requirements you need to place there," he said.

A 100 percent subsidiary of state-owned Philippine National Oil Company, PNOC Renewables focuses on promoting, developing and implementing new and renewable energy sources. — VDS, GMA News