The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) aims to maximize the potential of the Chico River Irrigation Project through the integration of solar power, according to NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen. The announcement was made during a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
Administrator Guillen explained that the implementation of solar panels would allow the project to generate its own electricity, addressing the current issue of insufficient local power supply which can only support one of the six pumping stations.
“Lalagyan namin ng solar panels para tayo na ho ang mag-produce ng kuryente na gagamitin,” said Guillen. He emphasized that the generated solar power would be used by the irrigation system for four to five months annually, enabling operators to sell excess electricity to the grid.
This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of improving the country’s irrigation system. During the recent inauguration of the Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project in Isabela, President Marcos highlighted the potential for additional income through selling excess power produced by these facilities.
The Cabaruan project, the largest solar-powered pump irrigation system in the Philippines, is set to irrigate 350 hectares of rice fields, benefiting nearly 237 farmers. President Marcos noted that since last year, 82 solar-powered pump irrigation projects have become operational nationwide, with plans for more in the coming months and years.
NIA’s move to incorporate solar energy into the Chico River Irrigation Project represents a significant step towards sustainable and efficient agricultural development in the country.