MANILA, Philippines—SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Group plans to add at least 250 megawatts to the Luzon grid over the next few years, as it hastened the rehabilitation of three of its hydropower complexes on the island.
SNAP chief executive officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said the additional capacity would come from the 75-MW Ambuklao and 100-MW Binga hydropower complexes in Benguet, and the 360-MW Magat hydroelectric power facility, which straddles Isabela and Ifugao.
Rubio said the plan was to increase the capacity of the Ambuklao facility by 35 MW so it can generate 105 MW; Binga power plant by 25 MW to 125 MW; and the Magat plant by either 90 MW or 180 MW from the current 360 MW.
“The earlier we can finish it, the better for us because it will generate revenues for us and then [we can] contribute [additional power supply] to the Luzon grid,” he added.
Rubio said SNAP was studying the feasibility of expanding Magat by either 90 MW or 180 MW given transmission constraints.
“There’s a constraint at the moment. If we can work our way with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to increase the [transmission] capacity, then 180 MW should not be an issue,” he explained.
The company, he added, expects to come up with a final investment decision by February 2011, which will enable it to start the commercial operations of the additional units within the third quarter of 2014.
“We want to capture that critical period, so we can contribute the much-needed power supply to the grid,” Rubio said.
According to Rubio, SNAP has begun talks with lenders, which expressed interest in funding the planned Magat expansion.
The Magat Dam is a multi-purpose dam which serves as a source of hydroelectric power as well as irrigation water for about 85,000 hectares of agricultural land.
SNAP chief executive officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said the additional capacity would come from the 75-MW Ambuklao and 100-MW Binga hydropower complexes in Benguet, and the 360-MW Magat hydroelectric power facility, which straddles Isabela and Ifugao.
Rubio said the plan was to increase the capacity of the Ambuklao facility by 35 MW so it can generate 105 MW; Binga power plant by 25 MW to 125 MW; and the Magat plant by either 90 MW or 180 MW from the current 360 MW.
“The earlier we can finish it, the better for us because it will generate revenues for us and then [we can] contribute [additional power supply] to the Luzon grid,” he added.
Rubio said SNAP was studying the feasibility of expanding Magat by either 90 MW or 180 MW given transmission constraints.
“There’s a constraint at the moment. If we can work our way with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to increase the [transmission] capacity, then 180 MW should not be an issue,” he explained.
The company, he added, expects to come up with a final investment decision by February 2011, which will enable it to start the commercial operations of the additional units within the third quarter of 2014.
“We want to capture that critical period, so we can contribute the much-needed power supply to the grid,” Rubio said.
According to Rubio, SNAP has begun talks with lenders, which expressed interest in funding the planned Magat expansion.
The Magat Dam is a multi-purpose dam which serves as a source of hydroelectric power as well as irrigation water for about 85,000 hectares of agricultural land.
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