DOE awards 8 contracts to Hydrotec Renewables

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy has awarded eight renewable service contracts including certificates of registration to Hydrotec Renewables Inc. for its small hydropower projects along Marikina River.

Total investment cost is estimated at up to P2.7 billion for the hydro projects, which would have a combined installed capacity of 25 megawatts (MW) to 30 MW, Hydrotec said.

The target completion date for all the projects is in 2016, the company said.

The hydropower projects would deliver power through the Philippine grid or the Manila Electric Co. and is expected to contribute, by cascading the Marikina River, to efficient flood control.

According to the company, it would be building the mini hydro projects in Rodriguez City  (Sitio Wawa, San Isidro and San Jose), San Mateo City (San Mateo), Marikina City (Tumana and Nangka 4) and Antipolo City (Hinulugang Taktak and Nangka 1).

Site preparation works for construction at three sites are already ongoing, it also said.

Depending on weather conditions, the construction period of a hydro power plant is six to eight months.

“The electro-mechanical equipment like hydro turbines, generators, control boards, hydrological equipment will be manufactured in Germany, which guarantees us, highest efficiency and a lifetime of over 50 years,” said Hannes Mueller, Hydrotec director.

The company would also install high efficient trash racks that will remove waste and garbage materials from the rivers, he said.

Furthermore, the host local government units would receive one percent of the gross income from the operations of the hydro power plants as mandated by the Renewable Energy Law.

In addition, based on Hydrotec’s company policy, a continuous donation or investment of five percent of annual profit to be used for ecological, environmental and social projects, Mueller also said.