Taft Hydro Energy switches on 16-MW hydropower project

TAFT Hydro Energy Corp. announced on Thursday that its 16-megawatt (MW) hydropower project has started commercial operations after an almost three-month delay, boosting power supply in Samar and Leyte.

“Hydro projects are challenging to build but despite the pandemic [the company] did it in record time of less than two years,” Taft Hydro Energy President Benjie Q. Picardo said in a statement.

He cited the support of the Department of Energy, Development Bank of the Philippines, electric cooperatives, the local government of Eastern and Western Samar, local communities “and our workers on the ground who went the extra mile so we can complete this project on time and on budget.”

The project uses of the running water in Taft-Tubig river to secure affordable power in the Samar-Leyte area. It consists of three units with 5.9 MW each.

The company earlier said the facility would provide power during the holiday season, as it was initially expected to be turned on by December last year.

The hydropower project is seen to boost the potential of the tuna industry in the area, which is part of the so-called “tuna highway,” as logistics and cold storages were hampered by the lack of power.

“At the same time, the completion of the project will create a major economic multiplier by the opening of investment opportunities in cold storage, processing plants, and even in tourism,” Mr. Picardo said.

Taft Hydro Energy is a project company under the Filipino-led Magis Energy Holdings Corp. to spur growth specifically in rural communities by developing renewable energy facilities. The 8.6-MW Matuno River Development Corp. in Nueva Vizcaya is also under Magis Energy. — Marielle C. Lucenio