New hydroelectric plant inaugurated
A NEW 1.35-megawatt hydroelectric power plant will be operating in Sitio Butao, Barangay Guiset Sur in San Manuel town soon after the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Energy (DOE), Mindoro Grid Corporation (MGC), inaugurated its completion and operation last Thursday, July 8.
The event was graced by NIA chief Ricardo Visaya, and Renante Sevilla, Director for DOE Luzon Office.
The plant was the product of a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the NIA and the MGC, as part of NIA’s mandate, as per Presidential Decree 522, which gives the said agency to construct multiple-purpose water resources projects designed primarily for irrigation, and secondarily for power.
The Mindoro Grid Corporation bought two parcels of land totaling an area of 868 square meters to host the power plant structure. It is directly located in the NIA’s Butao Irrigation Drop, part of the 44-kilometer Agno River Irrigation System (ARIS), stemming from the San Roque Dam.
The endless and fast surge of water makes it ideal for the establishment of a hydroelectric plant.
The ground breaking ceremony was held on June 2019. The power house was then constructed from June 2019 to November 2020, along with the installation of floodgates. Meanwhile, the installation of electro-mechanical components was done on November 2020 until March 2021. It was then commissioned on June 2021.
The hydroelectric plant has an economic life of 30 years, and boasts off a 90% water turbine efficiency.
The power plant, said Visaya, is said to be able to power up a large barangay.
As a general rule of thumb, each megawatt can supply around 650 homes.
However, the plant will not supply electricity in Pangasinan but will be transmitted to the MGC, which will send it over to its partner distributors.
However, Mayor Kenneth Marco Perez said since its construction, the plant has provided jobs to its residents.
Perez said there will be similar projects in Barangays Nara and San Bonifacio. (Ahikam Pasion)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
