ERC approves new Binga power facility

 ITOGON, Benguet - The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) recently awarded the Certificate of Compliance (COC) for the new 31.45-megawatt (MW) Unit 1 of SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet’s (SNAP-Benguet) Binga Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP).

Lawyer Mike Hosillos, SNAP B vice president for corporate affairs, said the new Unit 1 turbine replaces the old 25-MW unit, part of the refurbishment and upgrade of the 100-MW Binga facility so that it will be able to increase its power output to 125 mw once the on-going rehabilitation of the power plant will be completed by next year.

According to him, the COC is valid for five years and this is the second of four Binga HEPP units to be completely refurbished and declared compliant since SNAP-Benguet embarked on a refurbishment program in 2010 thereby making its compliant power to 62.5 mw which is now being infused to the Luzon grid and contributing to power stability.

“Our rehabilitation program is right on track and we hope to complete the whole project within the next two years so that the Binga power plant will be fully operational,” Hosillos said, adding that there is a need to infuse added capacity to the grid in order to cope up with the increasing power demand which is being triggered by rapid urbanization in most parts of the Luzon island.  

He added the program, consisting of construction of a new intake and headrace, modernization of the control system, and upgrading of the turbine units, would result in a practically brand new Binga power plant by next year and capable of producing 125 mw for the benefit of improving power supply in the grid.

“Unit 1’s refurbishment was completed in July 2012 while Unit 4 was completed in December 2011,” Hosillos stressed, citing that “Work on the two remaining units is expected to begin early 2013 and completed by said year’s end.” 

Binga HEPP, located in barangay Tinongdan in Itogon, was bid out as a package in 2007 with Ambuklao HEPP through the power sector privatization program.  

Other than Binga’s ongoing refurbishment, SNAP-Benguet also began in 2008 the rehabilitation and upgrading of Ambuklao - which had not been running since 1999. Ambuklao, located in Bokod, Benguet, was upgraded successfully from 100 to 105 MW and officially inaugurated in October 2011.

Once in full operation, the Binga dam will be capable of producing around 125 mw of power that could boost the existing power supply of the Luzon grid and could cater to the increase in the power requirements.

“We want to assure the public that we will be providing reliable and quality power for the grid,” Hosillos said, citing that the stability of power supply in the grid is one of their main objectives so that power blackouts in the grid by 2017 will be averted.

He explained SNAP Be continues to work on the maintenance of the two power plants so that they will be able to contribute in sustaining power supply to the grid, especially during peak hours when the outputs from the plants are tapped to help in maintaining steady supply for residential, commercial and industrial consumers that are connected with the grid.

SNAP will maintain, operate and administer the operation of the two power plants within a 25-year period subject to renewal for another 25 years pursuant to the administration’s public private partnership.