Power firm all set to operate Sorsogon hydropower facility

Renewable energy developer Sunwest Water and Electric Co. (Suweco) hopes to operate the 600 kilowatt (KW) mini-hydropower plant in Sorsogon within the year.

“We are commissioning the project next week,” Suweco president Jose Silvestre M. Natividad said in a text message.

He said the hydropower facility track should be operational by August.

“We are negotiating with Soreco II (Sorsogon II Electric Coorperative) for the output of the facility,” Natividad added.

The P80-million Cawayan Upper mini-hydropower project is now 81-percent complete and may be commissioned this month. The facility is located in Barangay Guinlajon, Sorsogon City. The power plant is expected to generate 2.786 gigawatt per hour (GWH) each year.

In a statement, Suweco said the plant would contribute significantly to Sorsogon’s peak demand of 12.406 MW, based on the latest available demand data of Soreco II.

Suweco is responsible for the rehabilitation and development of the facility. The hydropower project is a joint venture of Suweco and Soreco II.

Suweco’s priority is to develop hydropower resources and help electric cooperatives rehabilitate and improve existing generating capacities, Natividad said.

“We develop projects regardless of size. We believe that, in unison, these small projects will provide a big contribution to our communities,” he said. Riza T. Olchondra