P800-M mini-hydro project supplies sustainable energy in Catanduanes

This island province is now less likely to be affected by recurring power outages with the presence of the P800-million hydro-power plant – a renewable source of clean energy that supplies the present power demand of the province out of running water from the mountains here.

The hydropower project of Sunwest Group of Companies, owned by Bicolano business tycoon Elizaldy "Zaldy" S. Co, supported by the islanders and endorsed by Bishop Manolo de los Santos of Virac to the Energy Regulatory Commission six years ago, is now improving the energy supply of Catanduanes Island.

The plant is being operated by the Sunwest Energy and Water Corp. (Suweco), an affiliate of the Sunwest Group of Companies, which put up three mini-hydropower plants utilizing runoff freshwater from the mountains.

This indigenous source of sustainable energy has started to resolve the recurrent power outages affecting Catanduanes in the past decades.

Today, the operation of the three power plants is now supplying half of the island's energy demand of 6.5 megawatts.

This makes Catanduanes the first province in the Bicol region to provided clean and sustainable energy through the hydropower plant.

The company's P314-million hydropower plant in Barangay Solong in San Miguel town has a rated capacity of 2.1 megawatts while its P213-million plant in Barangay Hitoma in Caramoran has a rated capacity of 1.5 megawatts.

Suweco's Solong and Hitoma projects supply a total of 3.6 megawatts or half of the current provincial power demand.

These hydro power plants are highly supported by several town mayors since these do not damage the environment.

Co said the three plants will generate a total of 8.5 megawatts of electricity and finally address the power outages which have been affecting the island province for decades now, crippling economic activities and tourism growth.

Jose Sylvestre Natividad, Suweco president, said the energy demand in the island province is 6.5 megawatts and grows 10 percent annually.

The current main power sources in Catanduanes are the 1.8-megawatt Balungbong mini-hydropower plant and the 2.2-megawatt Marinawa diesel plant.

Natividad said that since Suweco produces renewable energy, it will help save the environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

In Barangay Solong in San Miguel town, the company built a dam that is 2.3 meters deep and 29 meters wide, with. the 10-kilometer Solong River as its water source.

Natividad said the dam is a potent source of energy because it is built on high elevation, which will allow stronger water pressure for more energy to be generated.

The government will save P200 million a year aside from providing clean energy, employment and income to the province and host municipalities even as it will also attract new investors.

"This project will help reduce dependency on imported fossil fuel whose prices are constantly increasing," Co said.

The Philippines, especially the Bicol region, is host to geothermal and hydroelectric generating plants which feeds the Luzon Grid.

The two major geothermal fields in Bicol are in Tiwi, Albay. and in Bacon (Sorsogon)-Manito (Albay) bundary, otherwise known as Bac-Man which was formerly operated by then Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and now operated by Lopez group of companies.

The two hydropower plants have a combined installed capacity of 496.20 MW. (PNA)