ILOILO – The investor behind the proposed 50-megawatt hyperscale artificial intelligence data center in Oton town has abandoned the project, days after his controversial walkout from a public consultation triggered backlash and left key questions about the massive development unanswered.
Daniel Stefan Robertsen, managing director of Norway Green Energy, formally withdrew the proposed AI Data Center in Barangay Abilay Sur, citing an assessment of the project and unspecified “current circumstances.”
Vice Mayor Josel Neil Olivares confirmed to Panay News that the secretariat of the Oton Sangguniang Bayan (SB) received Robertsen’s email at around 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. The email, with the subject “Formal Withdraw of Proposed Data Centre Project-Oton,” informed the municipal government that the company would no longer pursue the development.
“Following our assessment of the project and the current circumstances, we have deiced not to proceed with further development of the project in Oton. We appreciate the time and consideration given by the Municipality and the relevant stakeholders during the discussion regarding the proposed project,” Robertsen said in his letter.
Robertsen did not elaborate on what he meant by “current circumstances.”
The withdrawal, however, came after Robertsen drew negative reactions from residents for walking out of the Aug. 14 public consultation while questions were being raised about the project.
The walkout occurred after SB member Atty. Annie Rose Paro questioned where the proposed data center would obtain the water needed for its operations.
Robertsen’s departure prevented participants from raising further questions about the project.
Olivares, chairperson of the SB Committee on Zoning, Buildings, Infrastructure and Urbanization, said he would prepare a committee report for presentation during the SB’s regular session on Thursday, Aug. 20, to formally close the matter.
He said Mayor Sofronio Fusin would also be furnished a copy of Robertsen’s withdrawal email.
Responding to netizens who questioned the SB’s handling of the investor, Olivares said the council merely performed its responsibility under the Ease of Doing Business law and other applicable regulations.
He stressed that the local government could not simply deny prospective investors the opportunity to apply and present their proposals.
Olivares said the prescribed process had been followed, including a committee hearing, submission of a letter of intent, a public consultation and a courtesy call on Fusin.
He added that future investors seeking to bring projects to Oton would similarly be accommodated and given the opportunity to present their proposals.
Paro, meanwhile, welcomed the withdrawal, saying she had been concerned about the potential impact of the project on the environment and the convenience of residents.
“Anhon ta ang kwarta kung na-compromise naton ang aton environment, ang convenience sang tawo,” Paro said over. DYOK Aksyon Radyo Iloilo.
Paro said she was considering delivering a privilege speech during Thursday’s regular session.
She also said she was entertaining calls from Oton residents to declare Robertsen persona non grata following the public consultation controversy.
Sangguniang Kabataan chairman Jay Magullado of Oton likewise described the project’s withdrawal as a major relief, particularly for farmers and families who could have been affected.
Magullado clarified that he was not opposed to development but believed the proposed project posed greater risks to livelihoods and the environment.
“Daku nga relief sa aton mga farmers kag sa mga pamilya nga posible maapektohan sang project,” he said.
Under the roadmap Robertsen presented during the public consultation, clearances and utility agreements were targeted for the second quarter of 2026, followed by groundbreaking and construction by September.
Phase 1, involving 10-megawatt energization, was targeted for the first quarter of 2027, while full 50-megawatt energization and operations were projected for the second quarter of 2028.
The proposed 10-hectare Oton AI data center was envisioned as a facility meeting international Tier III and IV standards and capable of attracting global technology companies and hyperscale cloud providers to the municipality./PN
