Wednesday, September 2, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES [ BusinessWorld Online ]
TACLOBAN CITY — Clean N Green Energy Solutions, Inc. will invest around P200 million within the next 12 months to build the 1.7-megawatt (MW) Bugtong mini-hydropower plant in Calbayog.
Jose O. Ilagan, president of Clean N Green, said the hydropower project is still at the "predevelopment stage."
"We are now securing various government clearances for the project. Construction [will start in] June 2010."
Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento said the project would be undertaken through the build-operate-transfer scheme. A feasibility study was earlier conducted by the city government and a company called Pilipinas Engine and Turbine Co.
The project site is in Brgy. San Joaquin, which hosts Bugtong Falls, one of the tourist spots in the province.
"They (Clean N Green) validated our feasibility study. Instead of producing 3.8 MW, we have opted to tap only 1.7 MW in order not to deface the beauty of the waterfalls. This model is very acceptable to environmentalists," Mr. Sarmiento said in a brief interview.
The city government is also looking at two other potential hydropower sources, Mr. Sarmiento said. These are the Pan-as Falls and Tarangban Falls. Many investors have expressed interest in developing the two sites into hydropower sources, he added.
"Calbayog City consumes around 8 MW. The advantage is that we’re very near the national grid and we can send the excess power to other areas if there is," Mr. Sarmiento said.
Meanwhile, the Samar I Electric Cooperative will soon start the upgrade of the existing 1.08-MW Ton-ok Mini Hydroelectric Power Plant in Brgy. Barral, at the Oquendo district of Calbayog.
Mr. Sarmiento, who chairs the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council, called on other Samar island officials to "capitalize" on hydropower considering the abundant water resources on the island.
"There are many in the power sector that are putting up investments. The [regional development council] can endorse the proposed projects to the company that could help [build] these projects," he added. — Sarwell Q. Meniano
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