Monday, May 12, 2008 Province to consider hydro power plant in Bago
A 'water everywhere but no light in sight' scenario may finally be over for Negros Occidental with the Provincial Government seriously considering a proposal of setting up a hydroelectric power plant in its thrust to have self-sustaining renewable energy in the province.
Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco said they are seriously studying the proposal of Alto Power Management Corporation to develop a hydro power plant in Bago City.
The power plant will also have a component dam project that would help solve the irrigation problem in Negros.
In its proposal to Zayco, Alto Power seeks permission to conduct a feasibility study for 180 days, asking the governor to have "free and unencumbered access" to the sites as well as to all of the province's available economic, market and technical studies related to the project and total and complete support and cooperation of the province's infrastructure development group.
Zayco said he welcomes the initiative, which is on a build-operate-own (BOO) scheme, "as this will answer our power needs come 2010, the time when Negros Occidental is projected to go through a power crisis if no solution can be found."
He, however, stressed the province will only agree to the proposal if a fair amount of royalty tax for both the province and Bago can be arrived at, and a reasonable power rate could be implemented.
The governor also stressed that Alto Power, in the course of its study, must "recognize, respect and observe due regard and consideration for the welfare, rights and interests of the communities and environment to be affected, ensuring the least or minimal adverse effects upon them."
The Provincial Government also stressed that the company "shall have no right of compensation from the Province to cover any and all costs incurred arising from or in connection with the study." They also asked that outputs from the study should include market, technical, manpower and administrative support as well as the social and environmental impact arising from the hydro power plant.
There have been several proposals for hydro plants in Negros, including one in the Ilog-Hilabangan River in Kabankalan City, but the proximity and physical structure of the Bago River was one of the factors why it was preferred by private investors.(Ma. Ester Espina)
