Together with its client, Cordillera Hydro Electric Power Company’s (COHECO), GHD’s renewable energy capabilities were in the spotlight at the Asian Power Awards, recently announced in Malaysia. Dubbed as the “Oscars of the power industry,” the awards recognize cutting-edge innovation and sustainable development with COHECO’s 60 MW run-of-river hydro project named Hydropower Project of the Year.
GHD is the owner’s engineer for the project, which will generate reliable, low-cost electricity and boost socioeconomic growth in the communities of Kapangan and Kibungan in Benguet province, Philippines. Run-of-river hydro schemes do not require reservoirs, reducing cost and complexity and minimizing social and environmental impacts.
“It’s a proud moment for GHD and COHECO to be recognized by an esteemed jury of leaders from the energy industry,” shares Darren Shrives, GHD’s General Manager, Philippines. “This award reflects our commitment to create value for our clients, our employees, and the communities that benefit from our work.”
“We thank GHD for the nomination and we are one with them in bringing development opportunities and uplifting the living conditions of local communities to propel economic growth,” states Jose Xavier Gonzales, President and Chief Executive Officer, COHECO. “This international recognition affirms the way GHD leverages its global expertise to support us in achieving our business goals.”
The project, in development since 2015, involves the construction of a 22-km access road, about 8 km of tunnel, powerhouse, switchyard, surge tank and 24 km of 69 kV transmission lines.
In the early stages of the project, GHD undertook an extensive hydrology study to estimate the potential annual energy output for the consideration of potential lenders. The construction of the hydroelectric power plant is estimated to take three years with GHD as owner’s engineer providing technical advisory, project management, construction monitoring and supervision services.
This project is a cornerstone in increasing the region’s competitiveness and reinforcing the country’s commitment to increase the share of renewables in its total energy mix, with energy consumption expected to nearly double by 2040.
