Power Beacon earmarks P3.9B for renewables

Energy firm Power Beacon Renewable Solutions Inc. is setting aside P3.9 billion to undertake various solar and hydro projects in Luzon.

In a text message, Power Beacon chair Armando Diaz told the Inquirer that nearly half or P1.3 billion shall go to the construction of a 10-megawatt hydroelectric power plant in Paracelis, Mountain Province.

Another P950 million is allotted for building 1.5 MW and 4 MW hydro facilities in Natividad and P750 million for the hydro power project in San Quintin, all in Pangasinan.

Diaz said the remaining P900 million shall go to the construction of 10 MW solar plant in San Quintin and 10 MW solar facility in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

Of all the renewable projects in the pipeline, Power Beacon has started building the P750-million run-of-river hydroelectric power plant in San Quintin.

Power Beacon, in a statement, said the 4.15-MW Dipalo Hydropower Project will rise in Dipalo River Park in Barangay Nangapugan. It is targeted to be operational by December 2024.

The hydro facility is expected to generate 18.87 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually upon its completion. It will meet the increasing demand for electricity in San Quintin, Umingan, Tayug and Natividad towns, part of Pangasinan III Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s coverage area.

“The project shall be the first major industry in easternmost part of Pangasinan and will generate renewable and clean energy geared toward improving the lives of the people of San Quintin in support of the thrust of the local government unit,” said Diaz.

It will utilize the waters of the Dipalo River through a diversion weir located high up in the mountains while allowing significant volume to flow over the weir to assure the ecological sustainability of the river. A diversion weir is built to control the flow of water, either by raising the water level or diverting the water. INQ