CABANATUAN CITY – At least 15 points along various irrigation canals in Nueva Ecija were identified by agriculture officials for mini-hydro power generation in the advent of technologies that enable turbine installation in minimal water forces
Engr. Josephine Salazar, department manager for National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-UPRIIS) said that the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) is already conducting preparatory works for six of the 15 sites her office has identified.
PNOC, she said, is working it out with local government units and power distributors.
“They are already conducting study, tapping NEECO 1 and NEECO 2 (Nueva Ecija Electric Cooperatives 1 and 2). Plus working for clearance with local government units,” she said.
NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel said that, at the minimum, a site with water drop of five cubic meters per second of five to six meters high can generate 300 kilowatts of electricity.
Originally, a mini-hydro power plant requires at least 10 cms of two meters high (head) but this was revised because of the new technology from Germany and China, NIA officials said.
“There are new technologies where turbines can be installed at a very minimal requirement,” Nangel said.
“Sa katayuan ng UPRIIS, dahil continuous yung flow natin because of the third crop, hindi tayo nagpapatay ng tubig, particularly dito sa Division 3 and Division 4 from Atate Dam down to Penaranda Dam so ito yung possible sites sa nabanggit na technology,” Salazar explained.
The installation of turbines is expected to start in September so the plants would operate early next year.
Nangel said that besides great contribution to power generation the project will generate additional resources to the irrigation system which will make the agency more viable. “This will mean more assistance to both UPRIIS employees and the farmers,” he said.
Nangel said that upon instruction of Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala, the agency has identified possible mini-hydro sites in Mindanao and the Visayas.
The technology has been very successful in Japan, he said.
