Korea Water to introduce floating solar power in Phl

By Donnabelle L. Gatdula (The Philippine Star) Updated December 10, 2011 12:00 AM


MANILA, Philippines - Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) is investing about $60 million to introduce the floating solar power system (FSPS) in the Philippines.


Jiheun Yun, K-Water representative in the Philippines, told reporters that they plan to start with a maximum of 10 megawatts (MW) of FSPS in Angat Dam.


He said the company will conduct a feasibility study early next year, to be completed within six months, to prepare for the construction of the FSPS which normally takes six months.


K-Water introduced FSPS installed in a water reservoir in South Korea last year. The same technology has been in use in Europe and the US for the past 10 years.


“This is the first time that FSPS will be constructed within a water reservoir. In Europe and the US, where there are similar projects, are being installed in ocean and/or river,” he said.


The technology involves setting up solar panels in a reservoir that not only produces a higher power output but also creates an ideal environment for fish spawning since it constrains green algae.


K-Water, Yun said, is replicating the technology overseas after fine-tuning it in Korea.


He said K-Water decided to put the FSPS in a water reservoir as this will complement their existing businesses.


“We will study if we can put it in Angat and in other dams - San Roque, Casecnan or CBK,” he said.


The K-Water official assured that based on their experience in Korea, putting a power plant in a reservoir will have no environmental impact on the water facility.


“The technology has been proven to be safe,”Yun said, when asked if the facility will not contaminate the water reservoir as this is a main source of the country’s drinking water.


As the initial phase’s capacity is small, Yun said they plan to sell the power to be generated from the FSPS to private companies.


The investment in FSPS, he said, forms part of the $1 billion K-Water intends to invest in the power sector in the next three years.


The state-run K-Water is engaged in the construction, operation and management of multi-purpose dams and multi-regional/local water supply systems.


Founded in1967, K-Water contributed to the growth of the Korean economy and the improvement of the public welfare by implementing water resources development projects and managing these resources.