The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental passed a resolution Wednesday interposing no objection to the construction of a 42-megawatt run-of-the-river hydro power plant by Alsons Energy Development Corp. (AEDC) in the Bago River.

Board Member Renato Gustilo, chairperson of the SP committee on Energy, who sponsored the resolution, clarified that AEDC is not building a dam, but a canal to transport water towards turbines, to generate electricity.

The Bago River, which spans from San Carlos City, Salvador Benedicto,Murcia and Bago City, is the main source of water for irrigated rice fields in central Negros.

Gustilo allayed apprehensions of Board Member Victor Javellana, Chairperson of the SP Committee on Agriculture who represents the 4th district in the provincial council, that the hydro power project will effect rice production in central Negros.

“The water will be reverted back to the Bago River.” Gustilo stressed.

AEDC expects the hydro power plant to be operational by 2019.

AEDC said it will have four hydro power stations in the Bago River. Bago 1 with 8MW will be located at Barangay Codcod, San Carlos City, Bago 2 with also 8MW in Barangay Igmaya-an, Salvador Benedicto, Bago 3 with 15MW in Brgy Minoyan, Murcia, and Bago 4 with 11MW in Barangay Bacong-Montilla, Bago City.

Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the 42 megawatts will not only answer the power needs of Negros Occidental, but could be a source for the whole country since the power produced will be connected to the Visayas grid.*GPB

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