DOE to bid out run-of-river power generation sites

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Energy plans to bid out 47 potential run-of-river hydropower sites to private investors.  

Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. told reporters in an interview that most of the sites they are looking to offer are located in Luzon and Visayas.

Each of these potential sites can each generate not more than 2 megawatts of electricity.

Layug said they will bid out these sites similar to the contracting round for coal, geothermal and oil and gas fields.

“Under the existing guidelines, these sites are awarded to a developer in a first come, first serve basis. However, we wanted a level playing field in terms of awarding service contracts,” Layug said.

“Just like a contracting round, we’ll be looking at the legal, technical and financial qualification and those that meet those requirements will be awarded a contract. Usually, bulk of it depends on the work  program proposal in the technical component, if it is the most  aggressive, usually it will be the one given [the contract],” Layug said.

Since 2010, the DOE has signed more than 1,000-MW of mini- and large hydropower projects after reviewing the renewable energy contract procedures.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras earlier said they have gotten a lot of interest from European countries to develop hydropower projects in the country.

Almendras said the Philippines is the most ideal place for hydropower technology.

“We are surrounded with water, which provides a great opportunity for us to work with them for hydro,” he said.. – Rappler.com