P2.598B needed to improve two Agus VI hydropower-plant units

Business Mirror
SUNDAY, 25 MARCH 2012 20:26 PAUL ANTHONY A. ISLA / REPORTER


GOVERNMENT-RUN National Power Corp. (Napocor) will need 30 months to complete the uprating or increasing the maximum power level of two units of the 200-megawatt (MW) Agus VI hydropower plant.


In a presentation, Napocor said they are looking to implement the uprating project from June this year to December 2014.


It said the project will entail P2.598 billion and will be funded through the budget of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM).


Napocor said the project would effectively extend the two units economic life for a minimum of 30 years upon completion. The project will consist of replacing the two units’ main equipment, such as the turbine runners, main generators and power transformers.


Upon completion, the Agus VI power station will be uprated to 69 MW using the same configuration but made possible due to the use of modern technology in the design of hydropower plants particularly for the turbine runner.


At present, Napocor said the dependable capacity of each unit has been reduced to 20 MW from 25 MW and that it continues to deteriorate. It said the two units require higher-maintenance costs, and are operating inefficiently.


It added that there is an imminent danger that these units will eventually cease operation at any time now. Napocor said the uprate project is part of the Mindanao contingency measure to secure sufficient supply of power in the said grid.


Energy Undersecretary Josefina Patricia Asirit earlier said the uprating of units 1 and 2 of the Agus VI hydropower system has already been approved by the Neda and is ready for implementation.


Asirit said Napocor has already asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to include the uprating of the Agus VI on its lists of projects for the year, and that the project has yet to be bid out.


Napocor said the rehabilitation of the Agus hydropower complex could bring an additional 5 MW to 10 MW of generating capacity.


Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras earlier said that Napocor would need another P2 billion to P3 billion to rehabilitate and come up with either additional capacity or to optimize the existing generating capacity of the 982-megawatt Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex in Mindanao.


Almendras said the sale or bidding of the Agus-Pulangi to prospective bidders is definitely on hold and is deferred until further notice the House Committee on Energy.