Renewable energy (RE) firm Alternergy Holdings Corp. said its diversified clean power portfolio has finally come online, as its hydropower plant in Nueva Ecija province began commercial operations.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Monday, March 23, Alternergy said it has switched on the five-megawatt (MW) Dupinga run-of-river (ROR) hydropower asset in Gabaldon town, which will supply electricity to the franchise area of Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative Inc. (NEECO II)-Area 2 as embedded generation.

According to Alternergy’s unit, Dupinga Mini Hydro Corp. (DMHC), the plant will provide energy to about 158,000 residents, generating 23,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) annually over a 25-year period, and will support renewable portfolio standards (RPS) compliance.

The project is also expected to reduce carbon emissions by 16,500 metric tons (MT).

Gerry P. Magbanua, Alternergy president, said the commencement of its hydropower operations completes its diversified asset base.

“The start of the commercial operations of Balsik solar and now Dupinga ROR hydro completes Alternergy’s triple play portfolio of wind, solar, and hydro renewable resources,” he said.

“With hydro now online, our triple play strategy of diversifying revenues across complementary technologies is expected to boost Alternergy’s asset base and share value to our investors.”

Eduardo Martinez Miranda, Alternergy Mini Hydro Holdings Corp. chief executive officer (CEO), said the project was completed despite external hurdles.

“The Dupinga project was a long time in the making. It navigated through the impacts of various challenges from permitting to indigenous peoples (IPs) engagements to climate-related events, pandemic, and geopolitics,” Miranda said.

Alternergy’s hydropower project is described as NEECO II-Area 2’s “last mile,” as it supports upgrades to the distribution system.

Moving forward, Miranda said the company expects to begin another ROR project in Kiangan, Ifugao province.