The Davao Oriental provincial government struck a deal with power firm Dy Green Energy to explore the development of the province’s first 50-megawatt (MW) solar power plant, an official said Monday.

The Solar Power Generation Plant (SPGP) will be situated on a 40-hectare land in Barangay Maputi, Banaybanay town, which the provincial government will acquire and, in turn, lease to the company for 15 years, according to the Sept. 16 memorandum of agreement (MOA).

In an interview, provincial information officer Kare Lou Deloso said both parties will begin the project as soon as the land acquisition is completed and the SPGP obtains the required permits and licenses to operate.

Deloso said the MOA signing held at Mati City was graced by dignitaries, including Vietnam Ambassador Hoang Huy Chung who supports the project. The agreement was signed by Governor Niño Sotero Uy Jr. and Mr. King Shing Donny Yeung, Dy Green Energy’s operation manager.

Deloso said the landmark project will not only meet the increasing energy demands and address power outages in the province but will also generate jobs and boost investments and tourism.

In his message during the signing ceremony, Uy highlighted the long-term benefits the project would bring to Davao Oriental while thanking the investors for their trust and confidence in pouring their resources into the province.

“This is a welcome development for all of us here in Davao Oriental since we have been experiencing electricity problems. We cannot proceed in our development efforts, especially our socio-economic initiatives if we have problems in our power supply,” he said. (PNA)