Education gets lion’s share in 2024 NEP

scoping is also required to work with the DENR, Department of Energy (DOE), and other relevant government agencies to identify the parameters for the EIA as part of the scoping process.

Before actual development or construction, proponents are required to conduct a climate risk assessment to determine the impact of climatic conditions on the construction, foundation, system design, and layout and reliability of the FPV projects.

The proponents are also required to assess the carrying capacities of identified water bodies, particularly rivers, inland lakes, and reservoirs in relation to other existing water uses to consider climate change risks and impacts.

During the construction stage, which includes the site preparation, delivery, and installation of the floaters, PV panels, inverters transformers, electrical cables, and other equipment, anchoring and mooring interconnection to substation and grid, testing and commissioning would have to be conducted to ensure that the project is operational and at par with environmental safeguards and safety standards.

Moreover, the order maintains that occupational health and safety hazards during the development or construction stage should include physical hazards from the use of heavy equipment, cranes, hazardous materials, dust and noise, falling objects, live power lines, and electric and magnetic fields.

Meanwhile, during the operation and maintenance phase of the project, the proponents are required to regular, preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance and repair of the plant to ensure its safe and efficient operation.

Even after the plant is set for decommissioning, the order strictly requires the removal of the facility and the process involves the restoration of the site to its original state as much as possible, and managing any waste and debris generated during the decommissioning is a must.