Aboitiz Power unit eyes 300 megawatts from new hydro plants

MANILA, Philippines - SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc., a unit of Aboitiz Power Corp., is planning to put up new hydroelectric power facilities to generate about 300 megawatts (MW) of additional power capacity.

SNAP-Benguet chief executive Emmanuel V. Rubio told reporters recently that they are set to conduct feasibility studies for the projects, which would involve the construction of three new plants.

He said they will decide when to start the pre-feasibility studies for the power projects before the end of the year.

“We’re looking at identifying these opportunities by December and then we will present this to our board to proceed with the pre-feasibility,” he said.

Rubio said they have started with some due diligence on their own and hired engineering consultants to lay down initial groundworks for the planned greenfield projects.

However, he said they could not give much details about the projects until after they are approved by the board.

He hinted that they are currently evaluating Northern Luzon and Visayas as potential sites for the proposed hydropower facilities.

“Most would be in Luzon. I think there’s one (in Visayas) that we’re looking at. If you go to the list there is Panay, there is Aklan, and a lot more other potential locations,” he said. “There is one and two in the Visayas that would fall into our criteria, we’ll do that.”

SNAP-Benguet is a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and the Aboitiz Group.

It owns the 75-MW Ambuklao power plant in Benguet which is undergoing rehabilitation.

SNAP is also overseeing the operations of the Binga and Magat hydropower plants.