Aboitiz's SNAP-Benguet gets ERC certificate

MANILA, Philippines - SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (SNAP-Benguet) has received a compliance certificate from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for a power generation unit in hydroelectric power facility.

The certification from energy regulators will allow SNAP-Benguet to operate the upgraded Unit 4 turbine of the Binga hydroelectric power plant.

SNAP-Benguet said the compliance certificate, which is valid for five years, is for the repowering of Unit 4 under an already existing certificate for the company.

The power producer refurbished and upgraded Unit 4, which now has a generating capacity of 31.45 megawatts (MW) from the previous 25 MW.

“This signifies compliance with the requirements of energy laws, orders and regulations,” SNAP-Benguet said. The refurbishment of Unit 4 began in April 2011 and was completed in December of the same year.

The hydroelectric power company said the upgrading of the Binga HEPP is on schedule as Unit 1’s repair and rehabilitation began in January.

Rehabilitation works are being conducted one unit at a time to keep the plant operating, said SNAP-Benguet president and chief executive Emmanuel V. Rubio.

 “By 2013, we will have a practically brand new Binga hydroelectric power plant providing up to 130 MW of renewable energy to Luzon,” Rubio said.

SNAP-Benguet said three turbine units of the Binga power plant are undergoing refurbishment.

The completion of Unit 1’s repair is expected in the third quarter, which will be followed by Unit 3 in the first quarter next year and Unit 2 in the third quarter next year.

The repair and upgrade of the Binga power plant began in 2010. It required the construction of a new intake at higher elevation, new headrace, replacement and modernization of plant control system and replacement of electro-mechanical components.

SNAP-Benguet bagged the Binga power plant in 2007. The company is a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corp.

Last year, the company inaugurated the 105-megawatt Ambuklao hydroelectric power plant, also in Benguet province. It completed a two-year rehabilitation after 12 years of closure.

As of end-2011, Aboitiz Power had a generating capacity of 2,350 MW, up by 15 percent year-on-year.

Its profits dropped by 14 percent to P21.6 billion last year due to lower output and cheaper selling prices.

Aboitiz Power is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, retail and power services. It is into several coal-fired, hydroelectric and geothermal assets across the country.