Suweco taps Ateneo to raise awareness on hydropower

MANILA, Philippines - Renewable energy firm Sunwest Water and Electric Co. Inc. (Suweco) is seeking to raise awareness on the hydropower industry in the country through a partnership with Ateneo De Manila University.

Suweco conducted an orientation on renewable energy for the foreign exchange students participating in Ateneo’s AIESEC program, focusing on hydropower project development, operations and maintenance.

AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run organization focused on providing a platform for youth leadership development.  AIESEC is present in 110 countries with over 60,000 members.

Around 10 exchange students from China, Indonesia and Vietnam participated in the orientation, which provided participants a short lecture on renewable energy projects development process and shared Suweco’s experiences in the sector.

The students were particularly curious on the socio-economic and environmental impacts of establishing and operating hydropower plants in the country.

Suweco president Jose Silvestre Natividad said hydropower plants provide income, employment and livelihood to the people and do not compromise the integrity and stability of the environment.

“Suweco acknowledges the importance of a healthy watershed for the sustainability of our hydropower projects. And we stands firm to our commitment for a balanced economic and ecological development for the good of the people, the environment and the country,” he said.

Suweco has two operational mini-hydro power plants with a total installed capacity of 3.6 megawatts in the island of Catanduanes. At present, it is nearing completion of additional capacities of eight MW in Bugasong, Antique and 0.6 MW in Sorsogon.  It also has pipeline projects with total capacity of around 270 MW nationwide out of which 19 contracts have already have approved by the Department of Energy.