Napocor wants to start P2.6B Agus 6 rehab in ’13

Agus 6 hydropower plant PHOTO FROM NAPOCOR.GOV.PH

MANILA, Philippines—State-run National Power Corp. is hoping to start next year the crucial P2.6-billion rehabilitation and upgrade of the Agus 6 hydropower plant in Mindanao in a bid to increase the facility’s generating capacity.

The project, according to Napocor president Froilan A. Tampinco, is critical in enhancing the efficiency and extending the life of Units 1 and 2 of the said hydropower plant.

In an interview with reporters, Tampinco said Napocor was planning to finally bid out the rehabilitation contract in January next year, after postponing the bidding for several times in the past.

“The bidding (next year) will push through. The only reason the last bidding (in August) was delayed was the change in the terms of reference for the financing. In the original contract, the winning bidder will finance the project. This time, it will be funded by state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. via on-lending,” Tampinco explained.

The Napocor chief said the new bidding scheduled would be announced before the end of this year. The auction will be held in January or February, and the contract will be awarded after three months, or around April 2013.

Napocor documents showed that the Agus 6 project would include the uprating of hydropower generating turbines and blades to 34.5 megawatts from 25 MW. This will entail engineering investigation, designing, manufacturing and installation of new turbines and blades.

Also covered by the project is the replacement of electrical equipment, materials and devices that are necessary to meet the requirements that will ensure the safe and reliable operation of the plant.

Tampinco assured Mindanao power consumers that the rehabilitation and uprating project for Agus 6 will be done in phases to mitigate its impact on the island’s power supply.

Located at Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, the Agus 6 hydropower plant is composed of four power units. Units 1 and 2, which can generate 25 MW each, were commissioned in 1953. Units 3 and 4, which can generate 50 MW each, were commissioned in 1977.

Agus 6 is part of the Agus hydropower complex which, together with the Pulangi hydropower facility, provides 53 percent of Mindanao’s electricity requirements.