New hydro projects to boost power supply

Business World Online
Posted on October 07, 2014 09:59:00 PM
By Claire-Ann Marie C. Feliciano, Senior Reporter

HYDROPOWER projects with total combined capacity of 288 megawatts (MW) are expected to provide additional supply in Luzon and Mindanao.
The Energy department in a statement on Tuesday said 11 projects in Palawan and four in Lanao del Sur will be developed by AQA Global Power, Inc.

The projects in Palawan -- which have capacities ranging from 8 MW to 20 MW -- will utilize various bodies of water in the province including the Inaguan River in Puerto Princesa City; Culasian River in the municipality of Rizal; the Barabakan River in Roxas; and Marangas River in Bataraza.

Projects will also be built in Ilian River in Dumaran, Estrella River in Narra, and Busuanga River.

On the other hand, Lanao del Sur will get two 50-MW projects to be located in Lake Dapao and Maitling River.

Baras River and Matadi River, meanwhile, will be tapped for 30-MW and 27-MW hydro projects, respectively.

During a courtesy call of AQA Global, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla welcomed the company’s efforts to develop the country’s hydropower resources.

“It is important that we have a supportive industry since energy development is essential for the continued progress of the country... [W]ithout such interest or enthusiasm, we cannot fully utilize the natural resources of the nation,” a statement quoted Mr. Petilla as saying.

Data from the department showed a total of 649 renewable energy (RE) contracts with combined capacity of 13,016.416 MW since the enactment of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

Of the total, hydro accounted for 388 contracts or 6,277.34 MW.

The department has already cut the service contract processing to 45 days from two years to attract more investors to go into renewable energy.

“However, we are also very fast in canceling. Within six months, if the project proponent is not going to perform, we cancel the contract,” Mr. Petilla had said.

The Energy chief said his agency has already canceled a total of 67 contracts due to lack of progress. source