Philippines' agri department to build 40 mini hydro power plants

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture hopes to generate at least 20MW by putting up 40 mini-hydroelectric power plants in all irrigation systems in the country.  to help ease the power crisis.

“This is the contribution of the DA and NIA to ease the ongoing power crisis in the country,” National Irrigation Authority administrator Antonio Nangel said.

The NIA is an agency of the DA agency.

Electricity is expected to  be generated from the power plants by December this year. It will benefit 100,000 

Nangel said his office has identified at least 79 sites or irrigation systems nationwide, including 20 in Luzon, 10 in the Visayas, and 10 in Mindanao.

He said each hydropower plant would only cost P20 million and would be shouldered by local investors.

“The good thing here, we will be able to help the energy crisis and at the same time the government will earn from it,” he said.

By May next year, the DA and NIA are targeting that all the 79 power plants in the irrigation canals will be able to supply electricity in the country.

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