SNAP partners with Napocor

MANILA, Philippines — SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP), a joint venture between Aboitiz Power Corp. and Norwegian firm Scatec, is joining forces with the National Power Corp. for a watershed conservation undertaking in Benguet.

SNAP and Napocor inked a memorandum of agreement for the adoption of a 1,000-hectare watershed area within the 2.5-kilometer radius from the Ambuklao and Binga reservoirs.

SNAP said the adoption of the watershed area would harmonize the company’s watershed management programs to ensure greater conservation and protection of the Upper Agno River Watershed.

The agreement covers the preservation of the 2.5-kilometer area around the Ambuklao and Binga reservoirs and includes forest fire protection, rehabilitation and restoration activities, agroforestry, and riverbank stabilization.

SNAP and Napocor have been partners in watershed and environmental initiatives since the signing of a technical cooperation agreement in 2010.

Napocor turned over ownership and operation of the 112.5-megawatt (MW) Ambuklao and 140-MW Binga hydroelectric power facilities to SNAP in 2008 under the government’s privatization program.

The dams and reservoirs remain under Napocor’s ownership and management.

SNAP said the new MOA is aligned with Napocor’s Energy Sector Carbon Sequestration Initiative for the rapid rehabilitation of open and depleted areas in its watersheds.

Under the initiative, SNAP last year agreed to rehabilitate and maintain 50 hectares within the Upper Agno River Watershed, of which 20 hectares have been completed.

Aside from the Ambuklao and Binga hydroelectric power plants in Benguet, SNAP also owns and operates the Magat hydroelectric power plant which has a nameplate capacity of 360 MW and maximum capacity of 388 MW on the border of Isabela and Ifugao, and the 8.5-MW Maris hydro in Isabela.