Aboitiz unit eyes 400 MW from new power projects

MANILA, Philippines - Hedcor Inc., the hydropower unit of Aboitiz Power Inc., is eyeing to develop mini-hydropower projects nationwide with a combined capacity of nearly 400 megawatts over the long-term, its top official said yesterday.

Hedcor president Rene Ronquillo said they have already constructed 19 hydropower projects and is in the process of constructing three more. On top of these, the company has 39 applications for service contracts pending with the Department of Energy. The total capacity of these projects is roughly 400 MW, Ronquillo said.

“We have applications for 39 projects,” Ronquillo told reporters on the sidelines of The Philippine Hydro Summit 2013 organized by Philippine Association of Small Scale Hydropower Inc. (PASSHydro).

For the 39 projects, the Aboitiz subsidiary intends to build two plants a year for an estimated total cost of P4 billion.

“We’re looking at other projects but you know right now they’re just studies. Although we have started our communication with the communities and they seem to be quite excited about it,” said Ronquillo, who also sits as PASSHydro treasurer.

The planned projects are in Bukidnon, Negros and the other parts of the Cordilleras.

“We believe there’s strong community support because the nice thing about small hydro is that it provides inclusive growth, inclusive development in the communities,” he said.

Hedcor has two projects under construction. The 14-MW Tudaya 1 and 2 project in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur while the construction of the 13-MW Sabangan project in Mt. Province is expected to start soon.

Hedcor is waiting for the final land use permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the Sabangan project.

“We hope to start (Sabangan) by April this year. This will cost around P2 billion,” Ronquillo said.

Hedcor specializes in generating renewable energy from run-of-river hydropower systems. Its projects include the 11.8-MW Simod plant and 16.4-MW Sita plant, both in Bukidnon.