Repower, Austrian firm signs deal to develop seawater pumped storage projects in PH

By Alena Mae S. Flores – June 1, 2023, 7:05 pm
from manilastandard.net

Repower Energy Development Corp, a subsidiary of Pure Energy Holdings Corp. said Thursday it signed a memorandum of agreement with Austria-based Gugler Water Turbines GMBH for the development of seawater pumped storage project around the country.

The partnership will bring the proprietary technology to the Philippines, allowing REDC to be the first energy developer to have seawater-pumped storage projects in its portfolio.

REDC said the first project will be a 320-megawatt seawater-pumped storage facility in Luzon.

The elevation of the project will be around 300 meters above sea level, and the lower reservoir will utilize the coastline for unlimited seawater intake.

REDC identified an area in Luzon for the development of the project and is securing the necessary endorsements from the local government units and indigenous communities so that the development of a pilot 50-MW facility can push through.

“We are pleased to enter into a partnership with Gugler — a leading provider of state-of-the-art turbine technology. We are looking to replicate Gugler’s success in a similar venture it has in South Korea, to further our ultimate goal of uplifting living standards to communities by providing clean energy,” REDC chief executive Eric Peter Roxas said.

He said 2023 is an exciting year for REDC amid the construction of various run-of-the-river hydropower projects in Bukidnon and Quezon.

“This agreement will allow us to diversify the services we provide, thus enabling us to enhance our capabilities as an emerging player in the hydropower space,” Roxas said.

Gugler is the technology partner of Korea Midland Power Co. which operates the Shinseocheon Seawater Hydropower Plant in South Korea.