Mindanao hydel project tied down to privitization requirements

Privitization of Agus-Pulangui first!

This is a pre-requisite for the implementation of the proposed 240-megawatt Agus 3 hydropower project in Mindanao based on the prescription of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

Energy Undersecretary Jay Layug that they are unable to act on the pending application for service contract for the Agus 3 project until there’s a decision on the privatization of Agus-Pulangui power plants.

He added that other stakholders are involved and it is a decision the Department of Energyalone cannot make.

This early, the Agus 3 Hydropower Corporation already lodged its appeal to incoming Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla that they be given go-signal on the project’s implementation.

Agus 3 is a greenfield development that will supposedly complete the loop of the seven generation units in the Agus hydrower complex.

The investor-group largely blamed outgoing Energy Secretary Rene Almendras for the project’s delay, but it is a known fact that this matter was similarly lodged with the JCPC so the policy matters relating to the mandated privatization of the Agus and Pulangui assets can be resolved first.

The general direction given by the oversight congressional body would be to privatize the Agus-Pulangui facilities but it might be on a deferred timeline.

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