In an interview with The STAR, DOE chief of mini-hydro division Victor Isidro said they are trying to develop such energy sources as an alternative to traditional sources of power such as oil and coal.
Since these projects are small in nature and help in energizing far-flung areas of the country, Isidro said most of the proponents are the local government units (LGUs). "We are encouraging LGUs which are directly involved in the development of NRE projects," he said.
Hydro plants which have a capacity of from 101 kilowatt to 10,000 KW or 10 megawatts are considered mini hydro while micro hydro are those with a capacity of 100 KW and below.
The DOEs Energy Utilization Management Bureau has recorded 61 micro-hydro and 50 mini-hydro power plants completed for the first two months of the year.
Last year, in the Kalinga province alone, the DOE recorded the completion of 35 mini and micro hydro plants.
The government has been encouraging the use of NRE to reduce the country’s reliance on imported oil.
DOE estimates show that the country’s new and renewable sources of energy–the sun, wind, ocean waves, and bio-mass–could produce electricity equivalent to 72.1 million barrels of fuel oil in 2000 and 92.3 million barrels in 2009.
Newly installed Energy Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho said the administration intends to energize all barangays by 2004. "This is one way the DOE carries out the administration’s thrust of stimulating growth in the countryside and spreading the fruits of developments more equitable," he said.
Earlier, this week, Camacho signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Japan for a pilot test of Mahagnao Micro-Hydropower. The project is being carried out through New Energy Foundation of the Ministry of Economic Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan.
The NEF has constructed similar facilities in Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam.