ADB to provide tech’l assistance to hydro projs

MANILA, Philippines -  The Asian Development Bank will provide the Philippine government with technical assistance in the construction of micro-hydropower projects in Mindanao.

In an interview on the sidelines of a Department of Energy forum Friday, ADB principal energy specialist Sohail Hasnie said the projects involve micro-hydro power plants.

“Its micro-hydro, very small ones from around 25 kilowatts up to maybe 500 kW. We identified 20-25 projects, but I believe that there can be many more projects. Rather than doing different sizes, it could be a good idea to identify one standard size and do a number of projects,” Hasnie said.

The multilateral lender is particularly looking at funding up to five projects because ADB has an allocation of only $2 million for the entire assistance. 

Hasnie said ADB is looking at constructing the micro-hydro projects in the Caraga region.

ADB has been helping the Philippine government’s energy projects such as by providing viable business models for rural community-based renewable energy projects.

Administered by ADB, the $2 million is being financed on a grant from the Asian Clean Energy Fund, which was established by the government of Japan under the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility.

ADB is working with state-owned National Electrification Administration for micro-hydro projects as well as with the Department of Energy, electric cooperatives and other government agencies.

Hasnie said that as counterpart funding, NEA, which administers cooperatives all over the country, would provide the equivalent of $400,000.

This will help fund civil works and other community contribution expenses.