First Gen Senior Vice President Dennis Michael Gonzales said run-of-river hydropower can become a more flexible and dispatchable resource when paired with solar, wind, and battery storage systems. Speaking at the 3rd Philippine Hydro Summit and Exhibition, held on November 18 to 19 at the Crowne Plaza Manila, he said hybrid setups can help strengthen grid stability and support the country’s renewable energy goals.

Gonzales noted that First Gen operates around 3,700 megawatts of installed capacity, including roughly 300 MW of hydropower. He said the company aims to double its hydro portfolio to more than 600 MW by 2030 as part of its broader plan to reach 13 GW of capacity, with 9 GW coming from renewable energy. “There is so much more hydro potential just waiting to be tapped,” he said.

He explained that ROR plants already provide firming capacity and reserve services, but their performance can be enhanced through colocated solar and battery facilities. The company is exploring integrated development within the Casecnan–Pantabangan watershed complex, including pumped storage, solar, wind, and battery systems.

Gonzales added that developers can slightly oversize generators to improve power quality in remote areas and increase weir height to create limited storage for evening and nighttime demand. These adjustments, he pointed out, can improve competitiveness and support loads that solar cannot serve.

He said unlocking more hydropower requires stronger government support, such as aligned planning between national and local governments, faster transmission development near remote sites, fair tariffs that allow developers to recover costs, and streamlined permitting processes. “When regulation recognizes the nuances of hydro… we can unlock the potential of a 24/7 clean and renewable energy future,” he concluded.

Gonzales previously told reporters that First Gen is pushing more than 200 MW of new hydropower capacity, which include a 100-MW pumped-storage project and three run-of-river plants in Mindanao, as part of its broader goal to expand its portfolio by 2030.

How can hybrid hydropower solutions help shape a more flexible, reliable, and cleaner power system for the Philippines?

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