Aboitiz eyes Ifugao hydro, irrigation venture

MANILA -Aboitiz Power Corp. will conduct with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) a feasibility study on a multipurpose project in Ifugao province that could boost power supply in Luzon while improving food security through irrigation.

AboitizPower signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the NIA through SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP), the company's joint venture with Norwegian renewable power developer Scatec, for the Alimit multipurpose project.

According to SNAP, this continues an initial feasibility study for the Alimit river that aims 'to look at the water management potential of the project, such as for irrigation.'

'Through this MOU, NIA and SNAP will be able to jointly cooperate in studying the feasibility of the Alimit multipurpose dam for irrigation, flood reduction in the province of Cagayan, generation of additional power for the Luzon grid and additional benefits for agriculture, aquaculture and general industry development,' said Eduardo Guillen, NIA acting administrator.

Alimit river is a tributary of the Magat dam, which is owned and operated by NIA and is a major source of irrigation and power in the country's largest island group.

SNAP currently operates four facilities in three provinces in Luzon. These include the 105-megawatt (MW) Ambuklao hydroelectric power plant that runs along the upper portion of Agno river and the 140-MW Binga hydroelectric facility, both in Benguet province.

SNAP won the bid for the Ambuklao-Binga hydroelectric power complex for $325 million in 2007.

In Isabela province, SNAP operates the 8.5-MW Maris hydroelectric power plant that utilizes water coming from the Magat river.

Meanwhile, the 388-MW Magat hydroelectric power plant that SNAP has been operating since 2007 after it won competitive bidding is located in Ifugao.

In 2022, SNAP broke ground for the 24-MW Magat battery energy storage system project located at the Magat hydropower complex. Commercial operation of this facility is expected to begin in the first half of 2024. INQ