In Wind, EDC focused on climate forecasting and acquiring accurate projections of wind generation, which improves our prediction of revenue for our financial capital. We implemented climate modeling to mitigate incorrect generation forecasts that will potentially affect wind resources in our Burgos Wind Project. With enhanced resource allocation, we ensure excellent service to our customers and business sustainability for the enterprise.
For Solar, the EDC Burgos Wind Power Corporation (EBWPC) Administration building installed solar panels that cater to daily power requirements. We also explored different renewable energy sources in office design such as, but not limited to, solar rooftops, solar lamps, and solar charges.
Grass Fire Incident Management mitigated the risk of grass fire spread. Over the course of three (3) weeks in June 2021, a series of small-scale grass fires within and around adjacent areas of the wind farm were recorded. While these grass fires brought no significant damage, the CSR team saw the need to partner with concerned individuals and groups to prevent such fires from recurring in the future.
The team met with the Association of Saoit Lot owners to discuss a possible partnership with the association. A plan was proposed to give incentives to lot owners or tenants. Such incentive will only be given when no grass fire incidents are recorded within an annual target period. The plan was shared with the community in a multi-council meeting in Barangay Saoit together with the EBWPC CSR team.
In celebration of the Philippine Environment Month, EBWPC conducted a tree-planting activity inside the wind farm. A total of 156 Philippine tree species were planted, including Igem-dagat which is the adopted flora flagship species of EDC Burgos, bulong eta, and ebony. This tree planting activity was participated by EBWPC employees, contractors, and members of a People’s Organization in Barangay Saoit.
EBWPC also partnered with the Mariano Marcos State University through the Office of the Student Affairs Services to launch an online activity for Environment Month. Students within Ilocos Norte participated in activities such as contests in spoken word poetry, TikTok, and vlog making. The activities focused on the EDC theme Forest Restoration: The Key to A Decarbonized Future.
In compliance with the Forest Land Use Agreement (FLAg) conditions, our Wind and Solar operations also ensured the maintenance of the wind farm reinstatement areas. This was continuously done throughout the 4th quarter of 2021. A total of 1,595 seedlings of native trees have been planted in four (4) separate locations at the Wind Farm.
Compliance to Tree Cutting Permits (TCPs) were also observed. Of more than 1 million trees that need to be planted by EBWPC as a requirement of the tree cutting permit issued in 2013, a total of 240,920 seedlings still need to be planted by the end of 2020. EBWPC signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the adoption of the 60-hectare National Greening Program (NGP) site in Barangay Saguigui, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. The 5-year project is in partnership with the Saguigui Tribal Council, Inc. for the first-year implementation, where about 50,000 seedlings will be planted. No major issues have been reported and the survival rate for the planted seedlings is well above 90%. For the remaining 190,982 seedlings, EBWPC is eyeing to adopt two NGP sites in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, covering an estimated area of 225.1 hectares. Implementation of the project is expected to commence in 2022.
In support of BINHI Tree for the Future Program, EBWPC partnered with 19 schools from Burgos, Pasuquin, and Bacarra in protecting and planting the 96 endangered Philippine tree species under the initiative.
