German national proposes to build mini hydro plant for Negros resort

BACOLOD CITY — A German national has made an initial proposal to construct of a three-megawatt mini hydropower plant for the Mambukal Resort in Murcia town, Negros Occidental.

Hannes Mueller, Hydrotec Renewables Inc. director, met with Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday to discuss his proposal.
Mueller said the proposed mini hydro plant would tap the water before it reached the Mambukal waterfalls to generate power. He assured that the hydropower plant would not affect the natural beauty of the falls nor have any negative impact on the environment.

“No trees will be cut and no access road will be built,” he added.

Mueller’s firm would submit a proposal to the governor after a detailed study that will take four to six weeks. The hydro plant would take a year to build.
Marañon said the plant could produce three-megawatt power, which was more than enough for the resort’s needs.

The governor admitted that there had been other proposals to build a hydro-power plant in Mambukal but the German technology being proposed by Mueller was sounder. “We will wait for his detailed proposal,” he said. INQUIRER