PNOC plans to put up hydro plant in Luzon

02/27/2009

A 20 to 30 megawatt (MW) hydropower plant in Luzon will be developed by the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC).

PNOC president Antonio Cailao explained that the proposed hydroplant would be built in line with the government’s thrust on renewable energy sources development which also include wind, biomass, ocean and geothermal.

“With renewable energy, it’s site specific. If there is geothermal, that’s where you will put your plant. Same with wind and hydro. The Renewable Energy Law, passed last Dec. 16, granted many incentives to developers. And RE is infinite and environment friendly,” Cailao told newsmen. Groundwork for the hydro plant has also begun, Cailao said.

“Renewable energy will be our focus this year,” he said.

The PNOC recently forged an agreement with Spanish firm Soluziana S.A. to conduct feasibility studies on the 5.6 MW Babuyan and the 6.8 MW Langogan Hydropower Projects in Palawan. The Spanish government funded the study through a 235,000 euros grant from the Instituto de Credito Official.

At the same time, PNOC is also looking at developing the 23.5 MW Timbaban Hydropower in Ma. Cristina Madalag, Aklan.

Cailao added that the company is similarly reviewing another hydro project — the 17.8-MW Catuiran Hydropower project in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro.

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