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Sibulao Curuan Zamboanga City Philippines

• Zamcelco, DOE eyeing Merloquet falls as potential mini-hydropower - Wednesday, 10 November 2010 11:41
  • Source: www.zamboangatoday.ph

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMCELCO) and the Department of Energy (DOE) officials are considering Merloquet falls, in Barangay Sibulao, as a potential mini-hydropower source, which will possibly add power supply and energize the entire city.

This, developed after the coop and DOE personnel recently visited the area (Merloquet falls) for site inspection to find out its potential for thundering waterfalls that stands tall in between two mountains being considered as a virgin forest in the city’s east coast.

ZAMCELCO General Manager Reinerio Ramos and his personnel together with DOE official Ernesto Obelidhon and staff May Elaine Cabilao trekked the more than one kilometer walk and conducted joint actual inspection in the area.

“Initially, we are trying to look at the potential of Merloquet falls,” Ramos said stressing of its potential for 3 to 5 MW hydro source.

Hydro plants are classified based on their capacities, as follows: (i) micro-hydro - 1 to 100 kW; (ii) mini-hydro - 101 kW to 10 MW; and (iii) large hydro - more than 10 MW.

Potential sites for mini and micro-hydro projects are evenly distributed in all the regions. The National Electrification Administration (NEA), National Power Corporation (NPC) and the DOE have studied specific mini-hydro potential sites and have lined them up as indicative projects including Merloquet falls.

DOE official Ernesto Obelidhon said that after the site reconnaissance, they will evaluate all the data gathered.

“Then, we’ll know the potential capacity of Merloquet falls but eventually the site will fall under mini-hydro capacity,” Obelidhon stressed.

The DOE shall involve all stakeholders in the decision-making processes prior to the implementation of hydropower projects. This would ensure protection of the rights of communities which may be affected by specific projects.

At the same time, project risks will be easier to ascertain through consultations and social assessment activities conducted jointly with all affected stakeholders.

The DOE is envisioned to be the central repository for a database of large, small, mini- and micro-hydropower projects and prospects. This database shall be made available to interested developers.

Furthermore, the DOE will conduct annual seminars and workshops on hydropower development in strategic locations to promote attractive hydropower projects to private investors.

“If there are other investors who would like to be a part of us then we allow them for a joint venture,” Ramos said.

By Monch L. Follosco