PNOC unit seeks approval for hydro plant

THE renewable energy arm of state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) plans to supply power to parts of Nueva Ecija through a new hydroelectric facility, a petition submitted to the regulator showed.

PNOC Renewables Corp. (PNOC RC) and Nueva Ecija II-Area 2 Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NEECO II-Area 2) have sought the Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of their supply deal.

The power supply agreement (PSA) would allow the parties to tap unutilized irrigation systems in the province for mini-hydropower plants.

The facility will have a minimum installed capacity of 1,000 kilowatts and will be built in Rizal, Nueva Ecija, the same petition showed.

“The installation of the project, no matter how minimal, will increase percentage of households provided with electric power supply and increase our energy self-sufficiency level,” it added.

The hydropower project will tap the existing flow of water from the Pampanga River Irrigation System Main Canal, which is located downstream the Rizal Diversion Dam.

PNOC RC will sell the output of the planned project to NEECO II-Area 2 under the eight-year agreement, which will be effective upon commencement of the project’s commercial operations.

The proposed basic energy rate totaled P4 per kilowatt-hour (/kWh), covering a capital recovery fee of P2.38/kWh; fixed operation and maintenance costs (O&M) of P1.04/kWh; and variable O&M costs of P0.58/kWh.

NEECO II-Area 2 distributes power in the municipalities of Sta. Rosa, San Leonardo, Peñaranda, Gen. Tinio, Rizal, Bongabon, Laur, Gabaldon, Llanera and Gen. M. Natividad; as well as the city of Palayan — all in the province of Nueva Ecija.

Besides this project, PNOC RC is also pursuing more renewable energy projects.

Source: Business World Online