THE Department of Energy (DoE) said a total of 209.8 megawatts (MW) in new capacity from hydropower sources will become available between this year and 2020.

The bulk of the projects, at 134.2 MW, will be coming from six projects in Mindanao. Luzon will be delivering a total of 62.5 MW from three projects, while the Visayas have 13.1 MW from two projects.

Based on the DoE’s list of committed projects as of end-January 2017, the project nearest to its completion date is the 43.4 MW Manolo Fortich 1 project of Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc. in Santiago, Bukidnon. Hedcor Bukidnon, a unit of Aboitiz Power Corp. subsidiary Hedcor, Inc., is scheduled to have its commercial run in July 2017.

Another Hedcor Bukidnon project is also set to operate in July 2017 — the 25.4 MW Manolo Fortich 2.

Antonio R. Moraza, AboitizPower president and chief operating officer, told reporters that hydropower projects have a long gestation period of about seven to nine years.

“Hedcor, we want to start this year — another project of about 20 [MW] and then next year, more,” he said, adding that the new project will be in Benguet.

He placed the combined capacity of the upcoming projects at around 70 MW, including the one planned next year.

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