The Camiguin Provincial Government has signed a deal with the Spanish government for the construction of a $120-million solar power plant and wind farm.

Provincial governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo said the construction of the five-hectare solar plant would start in Sagay and Guinsiliban by October.

He said the wind farm would include seven turbines and would be built after the solar power plant had been finished.

“We have chosen the towns of Sagay and Guinsiliban because of their favourable locations for the sun and wind exposure,” Gov. Romualdo said.

He added that both solar and wind power plants were expected to generate nine megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Presently, Camiguin province has an electricity peak demand of up to four MW per day.

Gov. Romualdo said the extra electricity would be used to boost tourism facilities on the island.

He also said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines was constructing a new passenger terminal at the island’s airport and Philippine Air Lines was expected to open a new routethere before the year ends.

Presently, Cebu Pacific flies three times per week between Camiguin and Mactan, Cebu.

Gov. Romualdo said Mallberry Suites of Cagayan de Oro was planning to open a five-star hotel on the island while the Ayala group of companies was working with a Chinese company to construct an 18-hole golf course.

“We need electricity to power these developments,” he said. “The solar and wind plants will help us very much.”

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines is also upgrading the submarine cable that links the island to the main Mindanao grid.