Business Mirror
06 Mar 2014
Written by Lenie Lectura
The Department of Energy (DOE) has given the green light to four power producers to proceed with the construction of their hydropower facilities.
The DOE issued certificates of confirmation of commerciality to the following: the 60-megawatt (MW) Kapangan hydro project of Cordillera Hydro Electric Power Corp. in Benguet; the 3.8-MW Irisan 1 hydro project of Aboitiz-owned Hedcor Inc. in Tuba, Benguet; the 19-MW Tinoc 2 and 3 of Ayala-owned QuadRiver Energy Corp. in Ifugao; and the 0.05-MW Pasonanca hydro project in Zamboanga del Sur of PhilCarbon Inc.
The five hydro power plants of the four companies have a combined total capacity of 83.85 MW.
Earlier, the DOE issued similar certificates to Sunwest Water and Electric Co. for its 8-MW Pinacanauan river hydropower project in Cagayan and 15-MW Main Aklam River hydro- power project.
The agency’s target installation for hydro power is 250 MW; 250 MW for biomass; 200 MW for wind; 50 MW for solar; and 10 MW for ocean technology.
Mario Marasigan, DOE director, earlier said wind and solar projects are currently oversubscribed or have gotten strong investor interest.
“They are expanding their capacities for wind. Investments in wind projects are quite good,” he said.
A Renewable Energy Act was enacted in 2008.
This seeks to accelerate the exploration and development of the country’s renewable-energy resources in order to create an alternative pathway for the country’s energy system.
Renewable resources include geothermal, wind, solar, ocean, hydro and biomass.
The law aims for the country to achieve self-reliance and reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, to increase renewable-energy utilization and promote its efficient and cost-effective commercial application by providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives. source
