German firm to build small hydro plants

MANILA, Philippines - German power developer Hydrotech is proposing to build small hydropower facilities from existing canals in Metro Manila, a Department of Energy (DOE) official said.

In a press briefing, DOE director Mario Marasigan said the proposed project would be put up in canals  along the Marikina River.

Based on the proposal, Hydrotech will start with a capacity of 100,000 kilowatts (kw) in three areas along Marikina River.

Hydrotech specializes in water and waste water management system solutions. Its fully-automated treatment plants are based on reliable long-life designs with low operational costs and for easy maintenance that is supported by a comprehensive after-sales customer service. “They have identified three potential sites including canals for these low-head hydro technology,” Marasigan said, noting that this technology is also being used in Japan.

Marasigan said while the mini-hydro technology would be quite expensive compared to other hydro projects, Hydro tech has assured the DOE that the feed-in tariff (FIT) would commensurate to the project’s cost.

In July, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved the FIT rates, which brings closer to reality the P106.85 billion worth of renewable energy RE projects planned under the scheme.

Specifically, approved FIT that shall apply to green power generation projects are P5.90 per kwh for those sourced from run-of-river hydropower, P6.63 per kwh for biomass, P8.53 per kwh for wind and P9.68 per kwh for solar.

To date, the Philippines sources 35 percent its total power requirements from RE sources.     

These new projects, Marasigan said, form part of the government’s continuing search for more RE resources to support the power need of the country.

Marasigan said aside from the Hydrotech project, the DOE, in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is proposing to put up mini-hydro irrigation canals that would generate one to 10 MW of power.