Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex Rehabilitation to Start Late 2027

MANILA, Philippines — The rehabilitation work for the aging Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex in Mindanao, which has attracted at least four bids, will begin in late 2027, according to a government executive. Dennis Edward Dela Serna, president and CEO of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., said the award and contract execution are eyed by April of next year. READ: Psalm readies Napocor asset bidding—Finance chief The Philippines’ competition watchdog would still need to clear the transaction until June. The timeline for the awarding, however, was a little later than the initial target of December, which the Department of Energy had expected. But Dela Serna said the go-ahead from the approving authorities, including the Economy and Development Council and the Investment Coordination Committee, would come in November. This, he said, would mark “the first major step in the project’s implementation timetable.” “The comparative challenge is expected to run from November 2026 to February 2027, paving the way for the next phases of procurement, award and turnover,” he added. Efforts to restore the facility would run for five years, from the fourth quarter of 2027 to the second quarter of 2032. Dela Serna had not responded when asked about the updated budget costs. The needed investment was earlier pegged at $350 million. National Power Corp. (Napocor) President Jericho Nograles previously said Napocor would still handle operations and maintenance. INQ