Union Energy, partner to put up P1.9B hydro power plant

Union Energy Corp., led by Puregold owner Lucio Co, and power firm Sta. Clara Power Corp. are putting up a P1.9-billion mini-hydro power project, aimed at helping secure the electricity requirements of consumers in Oriental Mindoro.

Sta. Clara board chairman Nicandro G. Linao, officials of Union Energy and the local government of Oriental Mindoro will lead the scheduled groundbreaking ceremonies on Thursday for the 8-megawatt facility.

“We are very happy to work with Union Energy for the Catuiran Project, which will address the growing power needs of Oriental Mindoro and nearby areas. The provinces of Mindoro have been relying on National Power Corp.’s Small Power Utilities Group for its power requirement and have not been spared [from] power shortages,” Linao said in a statement issued Wednesday.

“Needless to say, it resulted in huge losses for businesses. We aim to address these concerns by putting up the Catuiran hydro project,” Linao added.

According to the statement, the project site for the mini-hydro power project is located about 30 kilometers southwest of Calapan city and in the southern side of the Catuiran river, one of the major river systems in Oriental Mindoro that originate from Mt. Halcon.

The planned power plant is expected to start commercial operations in 2016.

“We are supporting the government’s call for the more green energy sources under the Renewable Energy law. We expect to start construction within the year,” noted Sta. Clara president Asisclo T. Gonzaga.

“With the growing concern on the environment, it has been proven that mini-hydropower has the least adverse effect on the environment, thereby making it the most socially acceptable energy source,” Gonzaga added.

Sta. Clara Power is a local renewable energy developer that owns and operates the 1.2-MW Loboc mini hydropower plant in Bohol and has a 45-percent stake in the Amlan mini-hydro facility in Negros Occidental.