Aboitiz: P35-B power projects ready by 2015

MANILA, Philippines – Aboitiz Power Corp. is confident it will complete all of its ongoing power projects in Mindanao by 2015, helping boost the generating capacity of the region.

The company committed P35 billion in new investments to address the power shortage in Mindanao. According to a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the shortage could worsen in the summer months due to low water levels. Mindanao is heavily dependent on hydro power.

Aboitiz Power subsidiary Therma South Inc. said it would increase the pace of construction of its 300-megawatt (MW) base load coal power plant in southern Davao City. 

Another subsidiary, Hedcor Inc., committed to complete its Tudaya 1 and 2 run-of-river hydro power plant project by 2014. The facilities are located in barangays Astorga and Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. When completed, Tudaya 1 and 2 will provide a total of 13 MW of renewable energy to Davao. 

Hedcor COO Rene Ronquillo said in a statement they are proud of the project because, aside from supplying renewable energy, it would also provide livelihood opportunities to far-flung host communities.

Ronquillo added that Hedcor is also planning additional projects to increase the use of renewable energy in the energy mix. 

The company has 30 years of expertise in run-of-river hydro power technology. It currently supplies 155 MW of renewable hydro power in Luzon and Mindanao.

The Department of Energy earlier said that total generation capacity in Mindanao should be at least 1,728 MW in 2013 and 2,206 MW in 2019. But current dependable capacity in the island is only 1,616 MW. The PIDS study urged the government to take both medium-term and long-term measures to address the power shortage. – Rappler.com