The Benguet Electric Cooperative will launch its first power plant by the second quarter of 2020.
“It is in the process of completing the construction of the three-megawatt hydropower generation plant in Man-asok, Buguias, Benguet and will be commissioned by the second quarter next year,” Rocky Pallogan, Beneco power generation department manager, said.
The project is expected to cut the cost of electricity to as low as P1.50 per kilowatt hour from the current P5.40/kwh.
Pallogan said under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, distribution utilities are encouraged to go into electric power generation to provide for their requirements and cut the cost of electricity that they pass on to the consumers.
“That is the direction now: produce your own power so that you can lower the rates of electricity sold to the consumers,” Pallogan said.
Beneco currently has three other power plant projects in the pipeline, which will give it a total of 33-MW capacity by 2023.
It will be followed by the 1-MW solar power plant ready for construction and is hoped to be operational within the year.
“We have already purchased the one-hectare lot at Tabaan Sur, Tuba, Benguet for the project funded by the European Union and administered by the World Bank,” Pallogan said.
Beneco is among the seven beneficiaries of the one million Euros assistance of EU to cooperatives for a 1-MW solar power generation facility.
The six others are Pangasinan Electric Cooperative 1, Sultan Kudarat Electric Coop, South Cotabato, Samar Electric Coop 1, Samar Electric Coop 2, and Ilocos Norte Electric Coop.
Beneco also has the 20-MW hydro plant in Kabayan, Benguet where the completion of the detailed engineering design is ongoing.
Pallogan said the Beneco board has approved the purchase of a 10-hectare property for the 10-MW solar power. – PNA
May 17, 2024
