ILOILO CITY—Two hydropower plants are being eyed in Aklan province to help address its increasing energy and that of  Panay Island.

Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez said a feasibility study being conducted by California Energy (CalEn) on the proposed site in Libacao town is expected to be completed by middle of this year.

The plant is expected to generate around 80 megawatts (mw). This is more than the current energy needs of the province reaching from 20-23 mw.

“We can produce energy for Panay Island if this will push through,”  Marquez  said in an interview.

Another hydropower plant being eyed is at the Timbaban River in Barangay Christina in Madalag town. The proposed plant can generate around 25 mw of energy, according to Marquez.

A feasibility study has already been completed by the Philippine National Oil Company but the project has been stalled because the site is part of a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) law.

Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores has a pending bill seeking to exempt the proposed plant site from the law so that the project can proceed.

Marquez said the Lopez-owned First Gen Corporation has expressed interest in investing in the Timbaban project.

Marquez said the two projects, aside from increasing power supply, are also acceptable because hydropower is “cleaner technology” compared to coal plants.*NPB

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