Bulanog Batang Hydro Electric Power Plant
Client: Bukidnon Hydro Energy Corporation
Location: Mindanao Island, Philippines
Date: June 2019 - Feb 2020
Investigating the feasibility of a run-of-river hydropower project to drive sustainable development via clean energy in the Philippines
Background
Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippines with a population of over 25 million, has suffered in the past from inadequate power and rolling blackouts. To increase the supply of electricity, the Bulanog Batang hydro project was originally planned as a 132 MW station with a 120m-high storage dam in the upper catchment of the Cagayan De Oro River, in the northern Bukidnon Province.
Entura completed a previous feasibility study for the original scheme, but the project did not proceed. It was subsequently proposed with a revised layout as a run-of-river project. Entura was engaged to conduct a new feasibility study for this 33.5 MW run-of-river option with an optimised installed capacity.
Solution
As part of the feasibility study, Entura considered three alternative project layouts with respect to project components, power and revenue generation and cost. The preferred layout comprises an ungated weir structure just downstream of the confluence of Bulanog and Batang rivers, intake, surface desilting basin, 3.8 km tunnel, surge shaft, buried penstock and surface powerhouse.
After finalising the project layout, the installed capacity and energy generation were reviewed and re-estimated based on final adjustments of project layout and updated hydrology.
Services provided
– Feasibility studies including:
- geotechnical investigations
- hydraulic and hydrological studies
- civil design
- hydro-mechanical and electro-mechanical design
Outcome
Entura’s investigations determined that the run-of-river scheme is technically and economically feasible. An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Philippines, to be carried out by the client.
Further investigation is required into geological risks due to lack of recent investigation data; however, seismic and hydrological risks are considered to be medium. Based on the information available in the feasibility stage, the project’s overall risks are considered manageable.
The completed feasibility study is now with the client.
