As promised, electricity being a basic commodity for human existence must reach far-flung communities.

A testament to that is the 4.5 megawatt hydroelectric power plant set to be constructed to serve the electricity needs of the Kiangan and Lagawe municipalities in Ifugao province.

The project will finally move ahead after proponent HydroCore Corporation secured its compliance certificate from the host communities.

HydroCore is among the subsidiaries of EPower Technologies Corporation, which is currently into development of renewable energy projects in Baguio City, Isabela, Benguet, Palawan, Samar and Mindanao.

In a press statement, the company indicated that it “satisfactorily complied with the procedures and process requirements for the issuance of Certification Precondition and the Free and Prior Informed Consent” for the proposed facility.

The project developer also entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Indigenous Cultural
Communities of the barangays along Ibulao River, where water will be sourced.

The pact lays down the cooperation and responsibilities of both parties, relative to the parameters of development and the required protection of the area.

HydroCore similarly bared that it already completed all necessary government permits for the project, including a full water permit from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Standing to benefit from this green energy project are the nearby electric cooperatives and their customers
in Ifugao and Nueva Viscaya,” the company added.

HydroCore said its plunge into renewable energy projects is “in response to the government’s call for alternative sources of energy to curve the emission of greenhouse gases related to electricity generation.”

As a matter of fact, the government envisaged that the influx of RE investments could be one of the ultimate answers to the long-term goal of providing electricity to the remotest areas in the country.

To entice capital in the sector, the Renewable Energy Law prescribed fiscal and non-fiscal incentives that investors may find favorable for their forays into RE development ventures.