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PNOC unit seeks Private partners for 5 Hydropower Projects

State-owned Philippine National Oil Co-Renewables Corp (PNOC-RC) is seeking joint venture partners for the development of hydropower projects in the country. In a statement, PNOC-RC said it is inviting interested parties to apply for eligibility so they can partner with the state-owned company for any of 5 hydropower plants packaged in 3 separate projects.

These are the Nalatang in Kabayan, Benguet; Dulangan in Baco, Oriental Mindoro; and Pasil B and C in Lubuagan, and Saltan B in Balbalan, all in Kalinga. The Nalatang project has a potential installed capacity of 44 megawatts (MW), whereas the Dulangan has 8.25 MW; Pasil B, 20 MW; Pasil C, 16 MW; and Saltan B, 24 MW. Pamela M. Cea-Borlaza, PNOC-RC business development manager, last week told reporters that the 5 small hydro projects would be on top of the 3 it will bid out next month.

"Out na yung 3 bids for the first 3 projects in Negros Oriental. These are small hydro projects, 22 MW yung total pina-bid out. We have yet to see if the private sector is really interested. July 9 yung bidding," she said.

PNOC-RC offered the Negros Oriental projects to interested groups late last year and again in early January but failed to sign up a partner. The company targets to put up a total power generating capacity of up to 300 MW of renewable energy in the next 5 years.

"These are projects primarily in partnership with the private sector. We want to enter into partnerships na joint venture," Cea-Borlaza said. The projects will require investments of roughly $4 million per MW, she said. Besides the hydro plants, PNOC-RC also plans to develop a 1 MW power generating capacity by tapping irrigation canals in Nueva Ecija.

"We expect to see online middle of next year," Cea-Borlaza said. The company is pursuing the project under a 50-50 partnership with the National Development Corp, another state-owned firm. PNOC-RC, the renewable energy arm of state-owned PNOC, has a 10 percent stake in the 20-MW Maibarara geothermal plant in Batangas.

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