Magat Dam is NIA’s responsibility–SNAP

By Lenie Lectura November 17, 2020
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/11/17/magat-dam-is-nias-responsibility-snap/

SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc. (SNAP-Magat) on Tuesday said it is not involved in the operation of the Magat dam and spillway.

SNAP Group is a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power. It supplies clean, renewable and dependable energy through the operation of the Ambuklao hydro, and the Binga hydro in the province of Benguet. SNAP also operates the 8.5-megawatt Maris hydro in Isabela, as well as the newly uprated Magat hydro on the border of Isabela and Ifugao.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is the owner of the Magat dam, reservoir, and spillway. NIA operates the Magat dam for irrigation services and controls the spillway during spilling events, such as during typhoons and large inflows of water. The dam, reservoir, and spillway are mandated to be continually owned by the government under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

SNAP said that during typhoons, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and NIA coordinate, direct and implement the needed spilling operations of the Magat dam. The spilling operations, it added, are conducted by NIA following an established dam discharge protocol and in coordination with PAGASA.

“The company has never been involved in operation of the Magat dam considering that this is the sole responsibility and mandate of the government through NIA. SNAP-Magat and SNAP Group do not own any dams in the country at the moment,” the company said.

The Magat dam, with its reservoir and spillway, is a multi-purpose dam facility primarily for flood control, irrigation, and lastly only for power generation.

SNAP won the privatization bid for the 360-MW Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant component only. The Magat hydropower plant uses the irrigation water stored at the Magat dam and reservoir to generate electricity.

Meanwhile, the National Grid corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) also clarified that it has nothing to do with flooding in the Cagayan Valley area.

“NGCP is the private concessionaire and the system operator for the national transmission grid. We have the mandate to operate, maintain and expand the Philippine Power Grid. We have no part in the operation of water sources or hydo power facilities such as the Magat Dam,” it said.

The grid operator made this clarification following reports that the local governments in Cagayan Province may file a case against NGCP for the loss of life and damage to property caused by the flooding.