SN Aboitiz, team to monitor Binga hydropower rehab

SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. is willing to work with local government and community groups to rehabilitate and refurbish the Binga hydropower plant. Aboitiz said the creation of a multi-partite monitoring team is a condition under the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and a key feature of the Philippine environmental impact assessment system. "SNAP-Benguet has always been conscious of its responsibilities," Emmanuel Rubio, CEO of SNAP-Benguet, said in a statement. He said the creation of the team is the "best possible action that will leave all those involved in a win-win position." The team's key role is to monitor the project's compliance with the conditions of its ECC. Environment regional executive director Clarence Baguilat welcomed the wider participation of stakeholders in the project, saying it signifies "good governance" and "transparency." The 100-megawatt Binga hydropower plant began its rehabilitation and upgrading this year. The plant's capacity is expected to increase to 120 MW by 2014. SNAP-Benguet is a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and the Aboitiz Group. It also owns the 75 MW Ambuklao power plant in Benguet which is also undergoing rehabilitation. SNAP Benguet submitted the highest bid of $325 million for the acquisition of the Ambuklao and Binga hydro power plants in November 2007. SNAP Benguet allocated $280 million for the total rehabilitation cost and capital expenditure for the Ambuklao-Binga hydro power plants. —VVP/JE/VS, GMANews.TV