Laoag: Aboitiz-led Northern Luzon Green Power Inc. (NLGPI) is currently expanding its acquisition of idle land in Talingaan village to facilitate the construction of a massive hybrid solar farm. Talingaan village chief Michael Palting bared Thursday that the company has already secured around 114 hectares for the project's initial phase, with plans to acquire more acreage for expansion.

According to Philippines News Agency, the site, located within a portion of the Talingaan sand dunes overlooking the West Philippine Sea, consists of land previously considered unfit for agriculture or traditional construction. Palting said the proposed 187-megawatt-peak Talingaan-Laoag Solar Power Project will be equipped with a 277-megawatt-hour battery storage system to ensure stable energy delivery.

Once operational, the facility is expected to link directly to the national power grid through the 230-kilovolt Laoag substation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. Palting noted that villagers are excited for the multi-million project, emphasizing that the host community has demanded a significant share of the resulting economic benefits.

During public hearings, village leaders requested that at least 80 percent of the job requirements-including roles for construction workers, contractors, and engineers-be filled by Talingaan residents. NLGPI emphasized in a filing with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) the necessity of connecting the project to the grid immediately upon completion to avoid opportunity costs amid rising energy demand.

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, the company will develop and operate dedicated transmission facilities solely for integrating this generating plant into the regional network, pending final ERC approval. The project is expected to generate significant real property tax for the city while providing a sustainable use for the sprawling, idle sand dunes.