AboitizPower signs contract with Zamboanga electric co-op

AboitizPower Corp. has secured a bilateral contract with Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative (Zaneco) for part of the output of the  68.8-megawatt (MW) Manolo Fortich run-of-river hydro power plant project in Bukidnon.

The contract covers initially 5 MW of energy supply from the power station being constructed and developed by AboitizPower subsidiary Hedcor. The power plant in Bukidnon is scheduled for completion in 2017.

The signing ceremony was held on June 8, 2016.

Mindanao’s shift toward strengthening its renewable energy future moved a step closer with the signing of the bilateral supply contract, said officials of AboitizPower and Zaneco.

Zaneco serves the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan and the entire Zamboanga del Norte. The agreement makes Zaneco a “green” energy supporter, according to board president Jesus Eduardo Tayrus Sr.

The cooperative earlier signed supply contracts with AboitizPower subsidiaries Therma South and Therma Marine to secure the baseload (coal-fired) and peaking (oil-fired) power demand of Zamboanga del Norte.

“We praise the zealousness of Zaneco in ensuring they get renewable energy to meet the needs of their growing franchise area,” Hedcor assistant VP Darlene Arguelles said.

Arguelles said she was confident Hedcor would “deliver as promised” the supply from the Manolo-Fortich power plant by 2017.

Hedcor owns and operates run-of-river hydro power plants in Benguet, Mt. Province and Davao del Sur, which have combined capacity of about 185 MW of clean and renewable energy.

In Mindanao, Hedcor delivers power to Davao Light and Co. through the Talomo, Sibulan and Tudaya power plants and the Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Dasureco) through its Tudaya power plant.

AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services.