Originally published February 12 2006
Alabel governor announces micro-hydroelectric plants will be in place over next four to five years
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to Alabel Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, five micro-hydroelectric plants will built -- likely along Maitum town’s Kalaong River -- to ensure continuous supply of up to 50 megawatts of power to the city, and he added they would be bypassing the National Transmission Corporation network and selling the power directly to the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative II (Socoteco), which will ensure cheaper rates.
Micro hydropower plants will soon be set up here to assure investors of a continuous power supply, Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez said.
"We are looking at roughly 50 megawatts that will be supplied by hydro electric renewable energy over the next four to five years," he said, adding that once micro hydropower plants are in place, they would sell it directly to local electric distributor South Cotabato Electric Cooperative II (Socoteco).
Dominguez said bypassing the National Transmission Corporation network by directly selling to the Socoteco will significantly reduce the cost of doing business and will mean cheaper power rates.
At present, independent power producer Southern Philippines Power Corp. operates a 55.5-megawatt diesel power plant in Barangay Baluntay, Alabel.
Dominguez said micro hydro power plants will be constructed in some parts of the province to assure investors of a continuous power supply.
Dominguez said they are eyeing Maitum town's Kalaong River as a potential source of renewable hydroelectric power.
Kalaong River's water discharge varies from seven cubic meters per second during summer (March) to 21 cubic meters per second from June to August, initial studies showed.
The 38-kilometer river traverses barangays Batian, Upo, Kalaneg, Mabay, and Kalaong.
The major business firms operating in Sarangani the past 50 years are the San Andres Fishing Corp., RD Group of Companies, Eastern Aqua Ventures and Alson's Aquaculture Corp.
These firms are engaged in the production of black tiger prawns, milk fish, pampano and other high-value fish for export.
Aside from the aquaculture-based firms, pineapple giant Dole Philippines, Inc. has also expanded its operations in Sarangani in the last 18 months, expecting to plant pineapple on at least 5,000 hectares soon.
Dominguez said they are initially eyeing Maitum town's Kalaong River as a potential source of renewable hydroelectric power.
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