7:51 AM
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After they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City Government of Koronadal and National Irrigation Administration Xll on February 4, the Euro Hydro Power (Asia) Holdings Incorporated allocated P50M for the rehabilitation of the first hydro power plant in the region, the Marbel Mini Hydro Power Plant located at Upper Guadalupe, Brgy. Carpenter hill, City of Koronadal.
Ignacio Guinid Jr., Officer-In-Charge and Technical Services Manager of EHP (Asia) Holdings Inc., said that the rehabilitation of the said facility which is estimated to generate 500-600 kilowatts will start on June after the processing of the necessary permits and other requirements. He added that the plant will be embedded in the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative 1 (SOCOTECO-1) lines and will greatly benefit the residents particularly those in Brgy. Carpenterhill as transmission cost would be lesser. Likewise, it will also help augment the power supply deficit in the city; however, the supply is not sufficient to meet the city’s total power requirement.
Meanwhile, Mayor Peter B. Miguel was grateful to EHP for this partnership because, for years, it has been one of his dreams to have a fully operational hydro power plant that would help stabilize the power situation in the city.
The mini hydro power plant in Brgy. Carpenter hill was constructed in 1971 by the national government under the component Irrigation System of NIA and has started its operation in 1974. However, due to siltation problem in the irrigation canal, its operation was hampered forcing a shutdown in 1981. Davao Light Power Company took over its operation in 1984 to 1989. To address the siltation problem, NIA rehabilitated the irrigation dam in 1991. Due to limited funds the said irrigation dam was once again shutdown in 1997.
Operation and maintenance of the said facility is expected to commence in January next year.
By: Airyn B. Sucion
