by Susan Aro
 
The Benguet Electric Cooperative, the power distributor for Baguio City and the province, will soon generate its own hydroelectric power through the development of mini-hydros with initial steps underway .

BENECO Garett Waytan, engineer, said they have just completed the feasibility study of Man-asok river in Buguias that would serve as the water source and site for the proposed hydroelectric power plant to provide sizeable power requirements for its consumers.

The detailed engineering and design will follow suit which would take around six months before the construction and establishment of the mini-hydro, Waytan said.

Department Mmnager of the corporate planning office Joselito Villarey said the power plant will have a capacity of three megawatts sufficient to supply the power requirements of the northern part of the province.
Villarey said there are several requirements needed before securing permit and the process is tedious. It still needs the approval of the community.

The Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) requirement of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples is still on process, according to Waytan.

The electric cooperative hopes to produce 30 percent power requirement of consumers to be sourced out from the proposed mini-hydros which they intend to put up in the province.

BENECO is also eyeing to establish mini-hydro power plant in Tuba.*(JDP/SCA-PIA CAR,Benguet)