4 geothermal, 20 hydro projects up for auction

The government is all set to bid out geothermal and hydroelectric power development projects this month with a shortlist of sites readied.

Four geothermal and 20 hydropower sites will be on offer, according to preliminary data from the Department of Energy.

The geothermal power projects slated for bidding are on Balut Island in Davao Occidental province, Amacan in Compostela Valley, Cabalian in Southern Leyte, and Acupan in Benguet.

The 20 hydropower resources projects slated for auction are: Ilog (reservoir type) in Mabinay, Negros Oriental; Tubig (run of river) in Taft, Eastern Samar; Buhid (run of river) in Maydolong, Eastern Samar; Binalbagan No. 1 (reservoir) in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental; Pagbahan No. 1 (run of river) in Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro; Modongan No. 1 (run of river) in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte; Modongan No. 2 (run of river) in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte; Pacu-an (run of river) in La Libertad, Negros Oriental; Guinoba-an No. 1 and No. 2 (run of river) in Guihulngan and La Libertad, Negros Oriental; Solsona (run of river) in Solsona, Ilocos Norte; Binulug (run of river) in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental; Binalbagan No. 2 (run of river) in La Catellana, Negros Oriental; Hilabangan No. 3 (run of river) in Kabankalan and Himamaylan, Negros Occidental; Sinambalan No. 1 (run of river) in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro; Bugtong Falls (run of river) in Calbayog City, Western Samar; Binongan-Tineg (reservoir) in Tineg, Abra; Cateel River (run of river) in Baganga, Davao del Norte; Cagayan 1N (reservoir) in Bukidnon; and Agus III (reservoir) in Marawi City, Lanao del Norte.

“The OCSP (open and competitive selection process) launch is Dec. 15,” DOE director Mario C. Marasigan said via text message.

Preliminary studies have been conducted in the areas on offer and the bidding is meant to accelerate renewable energy (RE) development in the country, which seeks to curb dependence on volatile and often polluting energy sources such as coal and petroleum.

The target is to award the contracts by mid-2015.

Winning developers will be strictly monitored on their progress, as is the norm in RE projects. Contracts may be canceled if developers fail to show progress within six months of getting a project. When that happens, other firms will have the chance to take over.