SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) would be taking a pause on the implementation of the proposed $1 billion Alimit hydropower project in Ifugao due to grid connection and host community concerns.
Based on a report by the Manila Bulletin, Aboitiz Power Corporation President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said the proposed project already has its system impact study (SIS), but there have been suggestions from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on which part of the Magat-Santiago transmission line the facility would connect to. This prompted SNAP to re-evaluate the Alimit project.
SNAP is a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower. It operates the Magat, Ambuklao, and Binga hydroelectric plants, all of which are also in Northern Luzon.
Rubio explained further that the project still has a permitting issue with the indigenous communities that may be affected.
Nonetheless, he pointed out that once the project is completed, Alimit would also partly alleviate flooding in the region.
The Alimit project has been designed to be developed in multiple stages, with the first phase covering the construction of the 120-megawatt (MW) power plant along with the 20MW Olilicon facility. Together, they require capital outlay of $450 million to $550 million.
The second phase will comprise the 250MW Alimit pumped storage facility, which may cost as much as $500 million.
SNAP had already secured the required approvals of the four towns that will be hosting the hydropower facility, namely Aguinaldo, Lagawe, Lamut and Mayoyao.
