Perched on the rolling hills of Pililla in Rizal, these 27 beautiful icons of renewable energy is becoming to be a bonafide tourist attraction that's easily accessible from Metro Manila (a mere 2-3 hours away!). In fact its really just a short drive, and if not for the horrendous traffic passing through Antipolo and Tanay, you can be there in less than 2 hours.
The first time I shot the wind farm was from a distance from the turbines; at that time they were laying down the transmission cables. Each of turbine can generate up to 2 megawatts of electricity, thus the farm can generate up to 54 megawatts!
There's now a tourist center located in the first cluster. It offers a panoramic view of Lake Laguna and its beautiful sunset. Pretty soon I expect a coffee shop or some souvenir shop here.
Right now access is not regulated nor is there an "entrance fee". The guards would remind you to stay at less 10 meters from any of the turbines. If you go beyond the tourism center, you'll be treated to an amazing view of Pililla's green undulating hills.
The place is already starting to generate some buzz. While its still difficult to commute going there (a tricycle ride from the town of Tanay will set you back Php 300.00 one way), this destination is totally doable as a half day trip from Metro Manila.
Why this particular place for the wind farm? Pililla's unique topography and location makes it a natural wind corridor (with wind speeds up to 36kph as one of the info boards indicated). Its close proximity to Metro Manila (the power hungry metropolis) sealed the deal. This wind farm is the first one outside of Ilocos, and I hope with the endless coastline we have there will be more wind farms. Its not a question of whether we have wind to harness, it boils down to the feasibility of putting up the wind farm.
Sunset by the wind farm
If you can, try to catch the sunset from the second clusters of wind turbines. The second cluster is just 5 minutes drive from the first one along the main highway. If your car is capable of handling steep hills, you can venture to the second cluster without going out the main highway.
Roving guards would most likely ask you to leave, especially if you are far into the hills, when dusk comes. But with luck you may be able to manage to get enough time to catch a few snaps of that orange ball descending into the horizon.