Alternergy Holdings Corporation has secured regulatory approval to commercially operate its 5-megawatt (MW) Dupinga run-of-river hydro plant in Nueva Ecija, adding fresh renewable energy capacity for an electric cooperative serving remote areas in the province.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) granted a Certificate of Compliance for the facility operated by Dupinga Mini Hydro Corporation (DMHC), a joint venture among Alternergy Mini Hydro Holdings Corporation, Markham Resources Corporation, and Nueva Ecija II – Area 2 Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NEECO II).

The project will supply power to NEECO II – Area 2 under a 20-year bilateral power supply agreement, helping reinforce electricity service in Gabaldon and nearby municipalities considered among the farthest areas in the cooperative’s franchise.

“The complete COC license confirms our full compliance to the technical, operational and regulatory requirements and documentations by the ERC,” Gerry P. Magbanua, president of DMHC and Alternergy Holdings Corporation, said.

The hydro facility enters commercial operations as the Philippine energy sector faces renewed concerns over fuel supply risks and volatility in global oil markets tied to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

“The timing of the start of its commercial operations could not be better. Amid an ongoing oil supply crisis, the Dupinga ROR Plant will deliver reliable and sustainable power at predictable price to NEECO II – Area 2,” said Dexter Teng, DMHC chairman and Markham president.

Teng said the project underscores the importance of developing indigenous renewable energy resources as part of the country’s long-term energy security strategy.

For NEECO II – Area 2, the project also marks a step toward reducing dependence on externally sourced supply by tapping renewable resources within its own franchise area.

“We have long believed that electric cooperatives must take an active role in securing our own power supply, especially if there are inherent energy resources that can be harnessed within our franchise,” said Reynaldo Villanueva, board president of NEECO II – Area 2.

Developers said the facility can supply renewable electricity to around 13,000 households while avoiding about 16,500 metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

The project took several years to complete after navigating permitting requirements, indigenous peoples engagement, climate-related disruptions, and pandemic-era challenges.

“The Dupinga Project was a long time in the making,” said Eduardo Martinez Miranda, president of Alternergy Mini Hydro Holdings Corporation and director of DMHC.

The facility forms part of Alternergy’s broader renewable energy expansion pipeline, which includes wind, solar, battery storage, and offshore wind developments as the company targets 500 MW of operating capacity by 2026.

What impact could more embedded renewable energy projects have on power reliability and energy costs for electric cooperatives in underserved areas?

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