PNOC RC initiates dev’t of 3 hydro plants in Negros Oriental

PNOC Renewables Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of state-run Philippine National Oil Co., is pushing forward with the development of three hydropower sites that can collectively generate close to 50 megawatts for Negros Oriental.

PNOC RC president Roger Buendia confirmed that the company would prioritize the development of three sites—the Pacuan-Guinobaan, whose generation capacity was earlier estimated at 33 MW; Siaton, with an estimated capacity of 5.4 MW; and Okoy, with 11 MW.

The Department of Energy (DoE) has already instructed the proponents of the three hydropower projects to secure a grid impact study, which will be conducted by the national transmission network operator, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

The issuance of a clearance also comes with a letter of endorsement from the DoE to the NGCP.

The grid impact study will determine if the electricity to be generated by the proposed power projects can be absorbed by the grid, or if the existing transmission lines are enough to transmit electricity from the power plant to the substations.

With the study, the PNOC RC will also find out if the proponents can put up the power plants in the areas they have chosen.

A proponent needs to know if the power generated from the plant can be absorbed by the grid or if the facility will only cause a congestion at the grid.

The three projects are part of the 11-hydropower project portfolio of PNOC RC, which was able to bag the hydro service contracts in 2009.

“The remaining sites would also be pursued for investment once proven viable,” Buendia told the Inquirer.

The other proposed sites are the Sicopong hydropower project in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, which was estimated to generate 17.8 MW; the Jalaur HP in Calinog, Iloilo, which could produce 11 MW of hydropower; Dulangan hydropower (HP) project in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, which would have an 18-MW capacity.

PNOC RC has five more projects in Luzon: The Saltan B HP in Balbalan, with a 24-MW capacity; Pasil B HP in Pasil, with 20 MW; and Pasil C HP, with 22 MW, all located at Kalinga; the  Natalang B HP in Kabayan, Benguet, with an estimated 45-MW capacity; and the Abuan HP in Ilagan, Isabela, with 60 MW.

PNOC RC is the government arm  that implements renewable energy projects such as solar, hydro, wind and geothermal.

It is mandated to promote and undertake research, development, utilization and commercialization of new, renewable, nonconventional energy sources. Such renewable energy projects are expected to help the country achieve 60-percent self-sufficiency in power generation.