SN Aboitiz adopts 1,000-hectare watershed area

By Alena Mae S. Flores – November 20, 2023, 7:20 pm
from manilastandard.net

SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) said it signed memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Power Corp. (NPC) for the adoption of a 1,000-hectare watershed area within the 2.5-kilometer radius from the Ambuklao and Binga reservoirs.

SNAP said in a statement the adoption of the watershed area would harmonize the company’s watershed management programs to ensure greater conservation and protection of the Upper Agno River Watershed.

SNAP is a joint venture of Scatec and Aboitiz Power Corp. it owns and operates the 112.5-megawatt Ambuklao and 140-MW Binga hydroelectric power plants in Benguet; the Magat hydroelectric power plant which has a nameplate capacity of 360 MW and maximum capacity of 388 MW on the borders of Isabela and Ifugao; and the 8.5-MW Maris hydro in Isabela.

The agreement covers the preservation of the 2.5-kilometer area around the Ambuklao and Binga reservoirs and includes forest fire protection, rehabilitation and restoration activities, agroforestry, and riverbank stabilization.

The MOA is aligned with NPC’s Energy Sector Carbon Sequestration Initiative for the rapid rehabilitation of open and depleted areas in its watersheds.

Under the initiative, SNAP agreed to rehabilitate and maintain 50 hectares within the Upper Agno River Watershed, of which 20 hectares were completed.

It is also in line with SNAP’s commitment to strengthen its sustainability efforts by embedding environmental, social, and governance principles in its operations.