Sustainability SN Aboitiz Power Group

AboitizPower hydro unit hosts international training for stakeholders

April 04, 2019

The power industry faces a number of challenges, including maintaining the balance between achieving business objectives and the social and environmental impacts of its operations. However, the achievement of the Global Goals on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all — as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals — depends on the development and maintenance of mutually beneficial partnerships between stakeholders.

In the search for solutions to these challenges, renewable energy provider SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP), the large hydro business unit of AboitizPower, has partnered with the International Centre for Hydropower (ICH) to bring together local and international experts and stakeholders for a course on the Prevention and Administration of Social and Environmental Conflicts in the Renewable Energy Sector.

The course, also supported by Australian Aid, International Finance Corporation, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, brought together 22 representatives from 16 foreign and local organizations. The capacity-building activity was held at the Makati Diamond Residences during the World Water Week from March 18 to 22, 2019.

“One of the most important lessons that SNAP has learned in our short existence is that inclusive and people-centered approaches to development and operations are critical in terms of how we establish and sustain a mutually-beneficial relationship with our host communities, our industry, and our community partners,” shared SNAP President and CEO Joseph S. Yu in his welcome address to the delegates.

“Bringing this course to Asia has turned out to be a big success. Social and environmental conflicts can threaten the necessary development of our resources. A systematic and knowledge-based handling of these conflicts is crucial,” remarked ICH Managing Director Line Amlund Hagen. “ICH is truly grateful for the support of SNAP in making this course a success. We are confident that our participants will use their new competence for sustainable hydropower development.”

ICH is a Norway-based non-profit organization that seeks to raise the standards of competence of personnel in the hydropower industry, as well as to promote the sustainable development of hydropower resources.

SNAP, developer and operator of 100% renewable energy facilities, is a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower. It owns and operates the 380-MW Magat hydro on the border of Isabela and Ifugao; the 8.5-MW Maris hydro in Isabela; the 105-MW Ambuklao hydro in Benguet; and the 140-MW Binga hydro also in Benguet.