20 Dams to Enhance Philippines’ Power Generation

The Philippines is in the middle of an ambitious infrastructure program aimed at increasing the power output and irrigation systems. In view of this, the country plans to increase its electricity consumption by the year 2030 and plans on tap into its water resources through the generation of hydropower. 

Clean Energy Revival 

The Philippines has already developed and established a certain number of hydroelectric plants, both conventional and run-of-the-river types. Out of these facilities, 14 are conventional, while 15 use the run-of-the-river method. Conspicuously, Southeast Asia only got its first pumped hydroelectric plant in the Philippines in 1983. 

Scaling Up Power Generation 

Private investments are to be made in the said project with the hydroelectric power revival plan being launched. According to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), there are Coal and. Invoke Projects for High and Medium Dams with a target of 20 dams by 2028. Out of these, construction of ten dams is planned for the year 2024. These megastructures on their own can produce up to 12. 74 GW as stated by the Department of Energy.  

The Water Crisis and Climate Change Targets 

This clean energy drive is in consonance with the Department of Energy’s objectives of achieving universal household electrification. It also provides a response to the climate issue resulting from El Niño/La Niña, a form of irregular climatic variation in the Pacific equatorial area. As the Philippines looks to the future and its energy needs, the focus is again being place on hydropower even in the drought prone areas. 

Changing Landscape 

This shift is also due to the fact that electricity prices are rather high in the country, and without subsidies. Also, the recent past of the country has not been very bright regarding nuclear energy, which is evident by the fact that $2. The 3-billion Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, in the Philippines has started leaning towards the use of cleaner sources. 

Source: Hydroelectric dreams: Philippines to build 20 more dams for power generation