Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative Inc. (Buseco) has tapped AboitizPower subsidiary Hedcor to supply 5 megawatts to its franchise area in 2017.
The deal comes as Hedcor is set to finish its 68.8-megawatt Manolo Fortich hydropower project by the second quarter of 2017, which will provide additional power to the Mindanao grid. The $280.4-million project will be the latest addition to Aboitiz Power Corporation’s growing portfolio of renewable energy in the country under the Cleanergy brand.
Buseco is the sixth electric cooperative to pick Hedcor’s renewable energy in Mindanao. Hedcor was also the power generator of choice of Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperatives 1 and 2, Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative, Misamis Occidental I Electric Cooperative and Siargao Electric Cooperative.
Buseco and Hedcor signed an energy supply agreement last Nov. 10 in Cagayan de Oro City, with the electric cooperative represented by its general manager Deiter Hoff Arellano, while Hedcor’s vice president for operations in Mindanao Rolando Pacquiao represented the power generation company.
Arellano said that, through Hedcor, Buseco can achieve its goal of delivering adequate power to its customers using local and sustainable resources.
“We must have a reliable partner in order for us to deliver a reliable and sustainable power supply to our customers” Arellano stressed.
Buseco serves Malaybalay City, the towns of Lantapan, Cabanglasan, Impasugong, Sumilao, Malitbog, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Baungon and Talakag, and Barangay Lilingayon of Valencia City.
Pacquiao, for his part, said AboitizPower was committed to explore better ways to integrate good social development and responsible environmental stewardship into their business operations.
“Manolo Fortich Hydro will enable us to further our commitment to support the energy needs of our country, particularly Mindanao,” he said. “We remain committed to provide reliable, ample and competitively priced power, generated with the least possible adverse effects on our environment and host communities.”