Napocor, DPWH to build P1.9-B flood control project, raise Agus capacity output

The government will start constructing the P1.9-billion Baloi Plain Flood Control Project, which is expected to increase the generating capacity of the Agus hydroelectric plants in Mindanao.

 

In an e-mailed statement Friday, the National Power Corp. (Napocor) said the Department of Public Works and Highways is responsible for the project which starts this year.

  

“With the construction of the Baloi Plain Flood control project, Agus 1 and 2 that operates on limited loads of 120 MW and 50 MW can be loaded at their respective rated capacities of 180 MW and 80 MW respectively. This will combine a total load of 260 MW, a 90MW additional capacity for our Mindanao grid,” Napocor president Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita said.

 

The management of Agus 1 and 2 intends to increase the capacity of the Marawi Lake Regulation Dam, Agus 2 Plant Spillway gates, and the power intakes of both plants.

 

The project will upgrade the flood gates to avoid water wastage and frequent downtime, plant manager Lomondaya Palawan said in the same statement. 

 

Napocor will install a trash rack cleaner in May 2014 to avoid clogging from garbage while keeping the turbine supplied with water.

 

Once the Baloi project is completed, it is expected to prevent Agus River from overflowing flooding and damaging crops in the area.

 

Agus 1 and 2 are part of the seven hydroelectric plants being maintained and operated by the Napocor Mindanao Generation Group. The other five are Agus 4, Agus 5, Agus 6, Agus 7 and Pulangi. – Danessa Rivera/VS, GMA News