“Pax Silica, envisioned as a semiconductor and artificial intelligence hub in New Clark City, would require 3 gigawatts of power and 39 billion liters of water annually…”
“Updated calculations, including land acquisition costs, put the project’s upfront investment requirements at ₱301 billion to ₱424 billion, or $4.9 billion to $6.8 billion. Over 50 years, costs could rise to ₱325 billion to ₱484 billion, or $5.2 billion to $7.8 billion.”
“The project would require more than 20,000 hectares for solar farms and an additional 390 to 780 hectares for reservoirs. This is far beyond Pax Silica’s current 1,600-hectare lease and could displace agricultural and community land.”
“The potential food security effects of this land diversion are significant. If planted with rice, corn or sweet potato, the affected land could feed an estimated 250,000 to 600,000 Filipinos annually. That is equivalent to 20% to 25% of Tarlac’s population or 10% to 15% of Pampanga’s population.”
“The project’s water footprint presents another major risk. Reservoirs alone may not meet demand, particularly during El Niño years, when rainfall declines by 40% to 60%…”
“Altogether, the project’s energy infrastructure would require ₱214 billion to ₱248 billion, or about $3.45 billion to $4 billion, in upfront investment…”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2277163/pax-silica-faces-costly-power-water-and-land-trade-offs