Three firms have expressed interests in building dams in the Bago River to generate hydroelectricity, Jose Ma. Valencia, chief of staff of Gov. Isidro Zayco, said yesterday.

Valencia said two of  the three firms, Alcantara and Sons and California Energy, have shown serious interest in the project and the provincial government led by Gov. Isidro Zayco and Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) are  holding further meetings with them.

Initial studies show that the Bago River has the potential to produce 70 megawatts of hydroelectricity and building of dams for the purpose would cost about $400 million, Valencia said.

This would be at no costs to the provincial government, as the firms are proposing to produce hydroelectricity on a build operate scheme, he said.

It will also mean cheaper and clean renewable energy, Valencia said.

He said the firm that undertakes the hydroelectric plan will also be able to provide an irrigation system and potable spring water to Murcia, Bago, Bacolod, Talisay and Silay.

The firm that undertakes it will also conduct reforestation in the area to protect the water levels in the Bago River, Valencia said.

One firm will have to be chosen to undertake the project but we are also offering the tapping of the much larger Ilog-Hilabangan River for hydroelectricity, Valencia said.

The Ilog-Hilabangan river has the capacity to produce more energy than the Bago River, he said.

Should a dam be built there in would also help prevent flooding in the area, Valencia said.

Most hydroelectric power comes from the potential energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator. In this case the energy extracted from the water depends on the volume and on the difference in height between the source and the water's outflow.*CPG

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