Ifugao hydro power plant nears completion

By Daniel Codamon

ASIPULO, Ifugao --The mini-hydro power plant project at Barangay Haliap this municipality is nearing completion.

The project  which started Jan. 2014  is targeted to be  completed this  June and expected to be operational after a month.

The project is funded through a grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

It is  intended to generate electricity for the community, earn income and provide employment to the people of Ifugao.

The power plant if operational can generate 820 kilowatt hour (KWH) of electric power supply or a total of 5,585.5 megawatt hour (MGH) annually which will be sold to the Ifugao Electric Cooperative (IFELCO) to act as the distributor to the consumers since the host community are not yet technically capable of operating and managing the power plant.

Part of the revenue generated by the project will also be used for the restoration, preservation and development of the Ifugao Rice Terraces.

The power plant called Likud Mini-Hydro Power Plant Project (LMPPP),  will help stabilize energy supply with minimal electric cost to consumers in the province.

At the same time, it will contribute towards the realization of renewable energy program of the government and the Ifugao mini-hydro electric power plant development program.

Part of the revenue generated by the project will also be used for restoration, preservation and development of the Ifugao Rice Terraces and its watersheds.

 The feasibility study of the LMPPP was conducted in 2011 and after several consultation meetings with the stakeholders consisting of the Ifugao provincial government, JICA representatives and  residents and local officials of affected communities of Barangays Haliap and Panubtuban of Asipulo and Barangay Duit of Kiangan.

The LMPPP was implemented with help of the technical expertise of the Tokyo Electric Power Corporation and contracted by the IWATA Construction Corporation also of Japan but the actual work is subcontracted by local contractors.