ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/13 July) – The local government of Dipolog City is eyeing to put up a mini-hydro power plant to augment the residents’ electricity needs, according to Dipolog Mayor Evelyn Uy.
She said Wednesday they are planning to tap either the Dipolog or Dapitan Rivers as the source of water for the hydro plant.
Uy said it is part of the city government’s effort to help address the impending energy problem in Mindanao in general and Dipolog City in particular.
“We should be prepared as early as now. The electricity demand is growing but the supply is not increasing,” she pointed out.
Uy said she will present the proposal to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) for the conduct of feasibility study in coming up with a mini-hydro power plant in her city.
She said the project, once realized, is sufficient enough in augmenting the electricity needs of her constituents.
She disclosed that Dipolog City has been experiencing nine-hour blackouts every Saturday for almost a year already and has greatly affected the business sector.
Aside from that, she said they often experience low-voltage during weekdays.
She disclosed that initially, they are planning to put up solar energy facilities. Although environment friendly, the technology, however, is expensive, the mayor noted.
Dipolog City is the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte. (MindaNews)
