The Romblon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ROMELCO) and the Department of Energy (DOE), has signed three (3) Hydro Power Operating Contract (HOC) for the proposed hydropower plants in three (3) river systems in Sibuyan Island. The said Hydro power plants will be located at Silum River, Brgy. Silum, Magdiwang; Agbalit River, Brgy. Danao, Cajidiocan and Lumbang River, Brgy. Lumbang Weste, Cajidiocan all in the island of Sibuyan, Province of Romblon.
The signing took place at the Department of Energy (DOE) Building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on March 13, 2017. Present during the signing are representatives from ROMELCO, President Dir. Diogenes Hilario M. Magallon and General Manager Engr. Rene M. Fajilagutan. Secretary Alfonso Cusi will represent the Department of Energy in the said contract.
The development of these projects aims to achieve ROMELCO’s objective to attain a 90% of its renewable energy resources. Currently Sibuyan Island is heavily dependent on existing 1,350 KW Cantingas Mini-Hydro Power Plant which supplies about 80% of the annual energy requirements of member-consumers on the said island. The Cantingas Mini-Hydro Power Plant was completed on December 2009 and declared its commercial operation on February 2010.
ROMELCO intends to complete one of the proposed Mini-Hydro Power Plant by 2020, thereafter, the 2nd and 3rd Hydro Power Plants will be completed by year 2023 and 2026 respectively. This mode of development for every three (3) years was programed to meet the ever-increasing power demand of the island and to maintain the maximum contribution of Renewable Energy (RE) in the delivery of electric service of ROMELCO to its member consumers.
The initial capacities of the proposed hydro power plants are 1,500 kW, 892 kW, and 488 kW for Silum, Agbalit, Lumbang Mini-Hydro Power Plants respectively.
