PACIFIC HYDRO LTD OF AUSTRALIA has commenced a US$16.7M expansion of its Bakun AC hydro project in the Philippines.
When completed, the Bakun supplemental hydro project will increase generation from the Bakun AC plant by about 50GWh. The project, a joint venture between Pacific Hydro and its Philippine partner Aboitz Equity Ventures, involves the construction of two weirs to feed additional water into the plant located on the
Bakun river, Luzon, about 250km north of Manila.
Additional electricity generated is to be sold to the National Power Corporation. The 70MW Bakun Hydro project is the largest investment in the Philippine power sector by an Australian company and has been operating since late 2000. The expansion is due to be completed in mid 2005.