Renewable energy firm Alternergy Holdings Corporation has begun commercial operations of its 5-megawatt Dupinga run-of-river hydro power plant in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, marking its second facility to go online this year.
The project, developed through subsidiary Dupinga Mini Hydro Corporation, follows the February commissioning of the 28-megawatt peak Balsik Solar Power Plant.
Alternergy president Gerry P. Magbanua said the twin developments complete the company’s “Triple Play” portfolio spanning wind, solar and hydro resources, a strategy aimed at diversifying revenues and strengthening long-term asset value.
The Dupinga project, years in development, overcame permitting hurdles, indigenous peoples’ engagement processes, and disruptions from extreme weather, the pandemic and geopolitical risks, said Eduardo Martinez Miranda, head of Alternergy’s hydro sub-holding firm.
Engineered to minimize environmental impact, the facility includes a 3-kilometer concrete headrace and a 1-kilometer steel siphon system designed to follow the mountain’s natural contours.
Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate about 23,000 megawatt-hours annually, supplying power to Nueva Ecija Electric Cooperative II – Area 2 under a 25-year agreement. The output will support compliance with Renewable Portfolio Standards while delivering clean electricity to around 13,000 households.
The project is also projected to avoid 16,500 metric tons of carbon emissions each year and improve grid reliability in Gabaldon and nearby towns, considered the cooperative’s “last-mile” service areas.
Alternergy said it will next advance another run-of-river project in Kiangan, Ifugao, while targeting completion of the 128-MW Tanay and 64-MW Alabat wind projects this year as part of its goal to reach 1 gigawatt of renewable capacity by 2030.
