RENEWABLE ENERGY
Aboitiz Power Corporation’s subsidiary Hedcor Inc. has become one of the country’s top renewable energy companies, specializing in generating electricity from run-of-river hydropower systems
Aboitiz Power Corporation’s subsidiary Hedcor Inc. marked on 25 May 2023 its 45th anniversary. Since 1978, Hedcor has harnessed indigenous and renewable sources of energy for businesses and communities. In the process, it has become one of the country’s top renewable energy companies, specializing in generating electricity from run-of-river hydropower systems. To date, Hedcor has 22 hydropower facilities in Luzon and Mindanao and a solar farm in the Visayas. These 22 hydropower plants — with a cumulative installed capacity of over 280 megawatts — are spread out in Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Benguet, Davao City, Davao del Sur and Bukidnon.
Since 2021, Hedcor has also operated San Carlos Sun Power Inc. in Negros Occidental with a peak capacity of 59-MW.
Hedcor aspires to become the largest RE asset manager in the country and in the ASEAN region by growing its clean energy facilities to at least 40 by 2030. This includes more hydro and solar, as well as having wind power plants.
In 2022, Hedcor launched the country’s first National Operations Control Center, which allows for the operation, monitoring and control of 21 Hedcor run-of-river plants and SacaSun all in one location. This results in more efficient operations with less chance of technical errors through centralized real-time data monitoring and analysis, operation and control of equipment, management of the alarm system, and delivery of notifications and plant operation reports.
“To remain competitive, we optimize our current assets, people and resources. Adopting new technologies will ensure efficiency, helping to implement operational excellence strategies necessary for future business growth,” Hedcor president and chief operating officer Rolando Pacquiao said.
Hedcor also celebrates the rich culture and tradition of the indigenous peoples groups in the communities it operates in. Earlier this year, Hedcor helped renovate the tribal halls of IPs in the province of Bukidnon. It also turned over P10 million worth of infrastructure to IPs in La Trinidad, Benguet. Both projects support the IP groups’ need for venues to host tribe gatherings and meetings, among many other functions.
“We know that we are only as strong as the bond we have with our community. We draw our strength from the homes and businesses we’ve sustained with the energy we provide,” Pacquiao said.
Since 2000, Hedcor has also planted over 3.5 million trees with an 85 percent survival rate. Moreover, the company is now on its fifth consecutive year of implementing the #NoToSingleUsePlastics campaign, banning the use of single-use plastics in all company events. Segregation and recycling are also observed within Hedcor’s premises.
“Building on its 45 years of experience and now as part of the Aboitiz Techglomerate, Hedcor will continue to be integral in AboitizPower’s efforts to service the country’s growing need for sustainable, affordable and reliable electricity,” said AboitizPower president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio.
“As the Philippines sets its sights to integrate 35 percent and 50 percent RE in its energy mix by 2030 and 2040, respectively, AboitizPower and Hedcor support it by growing its own diverse clean energy portfolio and investments in innovation and technology,” he added.