Upper Taft Hydro is positioned in Barangay San Rafael, Eastern Samar, like its first phase, Taft Hydro. The 14-megawatt Upper Taft Hydro uses the same run-of-river technology drawing from the Taft-Tubig River, though located upstream. As of writing, the project is still under construction; its completion is within the first quarter of 2024.
Upper Taft Hydro’s energy, like with its prime project, originates from the Taft-Tubig river. The river drives three efficient 4.7-megawatt Global Hydro Energy Francis-type turbines. The hydropower system derives water from a net head of 35 meters and a discharge of 46 cubic meters per second, respectively. They are connected to an Ogee-type crest dam which allows for efficient energy extraction.
Its transmission line of 5 kilometers grants Samar locals access to 63 GWh of hydropower electricity per year. This is made possible through tapping the existing 69kV Taft-Paranas line.
Upper Taft Hydro’s road and clearing works were under construction as early as January 2022. Its power plant structures commenced in August of the same year.
With Magis Energy Holdings’ experience with Taft Hydro, alongside a project financing loan courtesy of the Philippine Business Bank, this project reached its financial close by March 2023. Upper Taft Hydro’s completed construction is eyed for the first quarter of 2024, with its commissioning period starting shortly after (more updates to follow).
Like the first project, the Upper Taft Hydro will lessen annual carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 44,863 tonnes. Samar, which has become susceptible to illegal logging and coal-making practices, will decrease its greenhouse gas emissions while generating sustainable avenues for employment. The locals who previously engaged in such harmful practices may instead be employed by the Upper Taft Hydro team.
Another project to look forward to is the upcoming bamboo reforestation project in Samar. In particular, this aims to mitigate the deforestation caused by dangerous environmental practices by restoring parts of the island’s watershed source. This will increase sustainable employment in the area by generating jobs for maintaining the plantation, continued harvesting of the fast-growing bamboo, and processing the raw bamboo into construction-grade, engineered bamboo.
