Micro Hydro Power for 1,000 People in Philippines

The micro-hydro project in Datalnay is now operational. SIBAT is now monitoring the performance of the micro-hydro system and assisting with the development of local enterprises.

Here is an update from SIBAT's final project completion report:

The 11 kW MHP system is now in place lighting the street towards the community plaza. The school has been provided likewise with lighting, the staff house and training center. The community policy is to use power for the grain mill at the moment with household lighting as secondary. Household connections for lighting will then be considered at a later stage as additional materials/funds are needed for transmission and distribution to households.Community-based policies and project management systems and procedures are in place for the use and management of the MHP/Grain Mill. The multifunctional agri-mill in Datalnay is targeted to operate for 8 hours daily for an estimated 10 months in a year, with an estimated milling capacity of 150 kg per hour. Mill operation will be scheduled as daytime load so as not to coincide with the expected peak domestic load during nighttime.

Alongside the installation of the MHP powered agri-mill project, capability building and hands-on trainings were conducted to equip the community with technical, management and entrepreneurial skills. Local community operators of the MHP-mill system have been trained for its management, operation and maintenance.The formation of a community project management committee is now primarily tasked to formulate and enforce the maintenance, operation and management policies. The income generated will provide for corn mill maintenance & operational expenses and as development fund for the community.