AboitizPower breaks ground for P1.7-B Bineng plant

MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz Power Corp. has commenced the P1.7-billion expansion of its 25-year-old run-of-river hydropower plant in La Trinidad, Benguet, which is slated for completion by 2019.

Hedcor Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power which operates and manages run-of-river hydropower plants, broke ground for its 19-megawatt Bineng combination hydro project.

The expansion project will triple the combined capacity of the Bineng hydro power plant facilities from 5.48 MW to 19 MW by 2019.

Once completed in June 2019, the facility is expected to generate 62 million kilowatt hours annually.

AboitizPower executive director Chris Sangster said the project is in line with the company’s commitment to inclusive growth.

“Along with the construction of the plant is the benefit to the community. We will live up to be your neighbor of choice. We commit to help through our corporate social responsibility focused on three core areas: education, enterprise development, and the environment,” Sangster said.

“All stakeholders will benefit after this project will be completed. Along the way, if we still have problems that we will encounter while this project is ongoing, let us resolve it through dialogue,” La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda said.

Pendon Thompson, the IP representative of the municipality, also expressed support for the project, noting Hedcor has always respected the rights of the IPs.

Since its entry in Benguet in 1986, Hedcor has sustained its growth momentum. Starting from the rehabilitation of four hydroelectric power plants owned by  Baguio City, the company later on constructed its own generation facilities in the municipalities of La Trinidad, Sablan, Tuba, Bakun, and Itogon.

Barangay Bineng started cut flower production in early 1990s when they had steady access to electric power, which is needed for the greenhouses. Today, Bineng is one of the largest producers of cut flowers in Benguet.

To date, Hedcor has 22 hydropower plants that are strategically located in the provinces of Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, and Davao to provide customers with ample and reliable supply of clean and renewable energy.

It is currently commissioning its 69-MW Manolo Fortich project in Bukidnon, which will increase its total capacity of 185 MW upon completion.