Micro Hydro Power for 1,000 People in Philippines

October 2010: For the last 6 months, food production and irrigation work have been given priority over electrical work.  In addition, the heavy rainy season has impeded access to the community for engineering work.   So there has been no progress on the electrical generation and distribution system.

Official commissioning of the electrical system is scheduled for November, and will be followed by a more in-depth report.

Thanks for your interest and support.

As of June 2010: The community has been suffering from food shortage for the last couple of seasons due to climate extremes, which has caused out migration of some people to look for odd jobs and food. The condition has affected the number of people working in the project, and therefore the pace of progress.

However, the turbine & generator, and the post harvest facility are now in place and functioning.

The system is still short of funds to install electricity lines throughout the villages. School electrification was decided as the top priority by the community. A new school building has been completed close to the power house (where the turbine and generators are located) and receives electricity, which enables adult literacy classes at night..

Capability-building (trainings) on the electrical plant and Post-harvest facility are happening right now. Food production and agroforestry will be given attention for the rest of the year. Food production activities will progress from the vegetable gardens to irrigated rice systems to increase food security in the villages.