New hydropower projects worth $960.5M to generate 384 MW

MANILA, Philippines - Despite being considered as an intermittent source of energy, the Department of Energy (DOE) expects to contract new hydroelectric power projects with a total capacity of 384.2 megawatts (MW) costing an aggregate $960.5 million or P3.2 billion over the medium term.

Based on the latest investment opportunities data, there are 10 potential hydropower projects in the initial list of frontier areas.

The biggest in the list is the 175-MW Binongan prospect located in Tineg, Abra estimated to cost $437.5 million.

Other projects in the list are: Ambura-yan River in Atok, Benguet (33.8 MW, $84.5 million); Ilaguen in San Mariano, Isabela (25 MW, $62.5 million); Quirino, Ilocos Sur (10 MW, $25 million); Addalam in Aglipay, Quirino (46 MW, $115 million); Hubo in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur (10 MW, $25 million); Asida River in Santiago, Agusan del Norte (11.3 MW, $28.25 million; Cateel E in Davao del Norte (17.5 MW, $43.75 million); Tran AC River in Lebak, Maguindanao (30.6 MW, 76.5 million); and Lake Mainit River in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte (25 MW, $62.5 million).

There are currently 124 hydropower projects, of which 99 are in the pre-development stages and eight in the development stages, in the DOE’s renewable energy contracts.

So far, there are already 17 existing hydropower projects in the country.

The DOE data showed that there would be a potential capacity of 281.97 MW from hydropower projects.

Under the country’s Power Development Program, the Philippines would need additional renewable energy development projects to help meet additional power capacity in the long term.

For 2010-2030, the Luzon grid would need some 11,900 MW of additional power, of which only 600 MW is committed and 3,448 MW is indicative.

In the 20-year period under the PDP, some 2,150 MW new capacity is needed for the Visayas grid. Of this, 654 MW is already committed and 186 MW is indicative.

For Mindanao, the island would need some 2,500 MW additional capacity for the period 2010-2030, of which only 100 MW has been committed and 581 MW are indicative projects.