DOE, JICA ink hydropower plant accord

Manila, Philippines -  The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has signed an agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the construction of a hydroelectric power plant.

NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel said the project is also aims to ease the power crisis in Mindanao and Luzon.

Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Nangel and a JICA representative signed the agreement over the weekend.

Nangel said a JICA-owned company would start a feasibility study on the project, which would be submitted to the NIA and DOE.

“We will start our projects on two sites by 2013, and these will be operational by 2014,” he said, adding that JICA would determine the cost of the project.

The irrigation systems in San Mateo, Isabela and Ifugao will be the initial beneficiaries of the hydropower plant.