A subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. has signed an electricity supply agreement with Surigao del Sur 1 Electric Cooperative (Surseco 1), covering 2 megawatts for 2018.
In a statement, AboitizPower said Surseco 1 was the seventh electric cooperative to choose Hedcor Inc.’s renewable energy in Mindanao.
Hedcor’s 69-MW hydro power facility in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, is scheduled to begin commercial operations this year or in early 2018.
The company said Surseco 1 was serving 138 barangays in the towns of Lingig, Bislig, Tagbina, Barobo, Hinatuan, Lianga and San Agustin.
Hedcor was also chosen by Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperatives 1 and 2, Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative, Misamis Occidental I Electric Cooperative, Siargao Electric Cooperative and Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative.
Hedcor currently operates 22 hydro power plants in the country, which have a combined generating capacity of 85 MW.
These power plants are spread out in Davao City (five), Davao del Sur (four), Benguet (11), Mountain Province (one) and Ilocos Sur (one).
Aboitiz Power Corp.’s hydropower unit has started construction work for the P1.7-billion, 19-MW Bineng project in Benguet.
On Dec. 5, Hedcor broke ground in La Trinidad, Benguet, for an undertaking that would replace its existing three-generator facility with a new one dubbed Bineng Combination Hydro project.
Slated for completion in June 2019, the project was approved earlier this year by local authorities in La Trinidad as well as in the barangays of Bineng, Alapang and Alno.
The new Bineng hydro facility is expected to generate 62 million kilowatt-hours yearly.
AboitizPower executive director Chris Sangster said in a statement the project was in line with the company’s commitment to inclusive growth.
“Along with the construction of the plant is the benefit to the community,” Sangster said. “We commit to help through our corporate social responsibility focused on three core areas—education, enterprise development and the environment.”