P10-B power projects set
Monday, March 12, 2007
Plants to solve Davao region brownout problem
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
BUTUAN CITY — The power problem that has plagued Mindanao will soon to be a thing of the past when the construction of two hydroelectric power plants worth at least P10 billion is completed in Mindanao, this was learned yesterday.
The hydro plants is expected to provide the power need of electric cooperatives, particularly the Davao Light and Power Co. in Southern Mindanao region, and nearby areas.
The two power plants are the P5 billion Sibulan hydropower plant in Sibulang, Davao del Sur, which will generate 42.5 megawatts to supply 32 percent of the present power needs of Davao Light, and the Tamugan hydroelectric power facility which will cost another P5 billion to build and would generate 30.5 megawatts, it was also learned.
Both plants will be built by Hedcor, Inc. a subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures.
The P5-billion Sibulan hydropower plant in August 2009. Construction of the facility will commence before the end of this month, said Rene Ronquillo, president of Hedcor.
In a press statement, the Hedcor head said the hydropower project involves the construction of two power plants and small dams called weirs utilizing run-of-river for the generation of its power, hence there is no need to impound the river’s waters.
Sibulan river, particularly its downstream areas, is suitable for power generation. The river is famed for its tubing and white water activities, Ronquillo said.
He said they will rehabilitate about 4.15 kilometers of existing roads and will open 10.13 kilometers of new roads as the project site is a 12-hour hike from the nearest passable road.
He said Hedcor has coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned government agencies for the start of the construction of the plant, which they said will help preserve the clean environment.
About 42 million kilos of carbon dioxide annually would have been produced and polluted the environment by a a fossil fuel run plant of the same capacity, it was learned.
The community will benefit from the projects from the facilities’ payment of taxes and community revenues.
Hedcor has waived its incentive of exemption from the payment of real property tax to help the local governments that will host the two power plants.
It will prioritize the hiring of locals in the construction and operation of the plant, which will provide electricity to still powerless host communities.
The company will also support education, public health and community development projects in the barangays, and put up a waterwork that can be tapped by the community for irrigation.
posted by philpower @ 8:45 AM,
