Korean mulls solar power plants in key dams

Manila Times.net
Published : Saturday, December 10, 2011 00:00 Written by : EUAN PAULO C. AÑONUEVO


KOREA Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) plans to put up floating solar power installations in the Philippines’ dams.


Jiheun Yun, K-Water country representative, said the company is keen on putting up the said technology—caled Floating Solar Power System (FSPS)—in the country’s water resrvoirs.


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


The company will invest an initial $60 million for the introduction of FSPS and for a feasibility study early next year.


The study is expected to take six months to complete. Should findings warrant the construction of the FSPS, K-Water would need another six months to put up the solar power installations.


The technology involves setting up solar panels in floating platforms over water bodies. Based on K-Water’s findings, putting up FSPS in reservoirs increases solar power output by 10 percent and creates an ideal environment for fish spawning since it constrains green algae.


Yun said that K-Water’s investment in FSPS forms part of the $1 billion the company intends to invest in the power sector in the next three years.


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


Yun said the company plans to start with a maximum of 10 megawatt capacity of FSPS to be located in Angat dam, Metro Manila’s primary drinking water source.


He said the technology poses no harmful effects on the environment and water quality as proven by the company’s experience with similar facilities in South Korea.


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


The company earlier submitted the highest bid for Angat’s hydroelectric power plant component. Various non-government orgnizations and lawmakers, however, questioned the utility before the Supreme Court because of concerns over the control of Metro Manila’s water supply.


K-Water bested other bids for the plant with a $440.80 million offer.