Krah Pipes Manila’s First Hydropower Project in Mindanao
Project Brief
Hydro-electric power is the second largest renewable energy resource in the Philippines next to geothermal power. There is an ample number of hydropower plants spread out across the country of both conventional dam and run-of-the-river systems. The 14.5 MW Siguil Hydro power plant, a run-of-the-river system, of Alsons Power first renewable energy source venture that is expected to begin operations in 2022 – is to provide power to the rapidly growing cities of Mindanao, namely Sarangani, South Cotabato and General Santos City which is the home town of Senator and Filipino Pride Manny “Pacman”
Pacquiao. The construction is currently on full swing that commenced last 2019. They started with the plant’s tunnel portal where water from the Siguil river basin in Maasim, Sarangani will pass through on a way to powering the facility’s turbine and generator. This is also Mindanao’s primary private sector power generator source. Moving forward, Alsons Power plans to develop at least seven more run-of-the-river hydropower facilities in different parts of Mindanao and Negros Occidental in Visayas.
Our scope
The 18km headrace pipeline of DN/ID 2000mm that links the collected water from the weir to the power house is replaced by Krah structured wall pipes from the original design of glass-fiber reinforced pipes. This is a decision derived by the proponent and its EPC contractor, Sta. Clara International Corp., to ensure the timely delivery of the project next year, 2022. With the physical characteristics of Krah pipes like its workability, durability, and easy weldability on site, the hurdle of laying it along the steep terrains of the mountain has been eased off. Another advantage that Krah pipes offered is our ability to customize the wall design of the pipes according to the actual project requirement of the head race pipeline. We categorized the pipes in 3 types according to the depth of embedment that ranges from 4m to 15m. A portion of the pipeline will also be passing along concrete bridges of about 2km. The electrofusion jointing process also contributes in the timeliness of the project with our current jointing rate of average 36 linear meter per day. The integrity of each joints is guaranteed with the help of our hardworking skilled jointers and the pneumatic control test that is performed every after joint. The tightness of joints is vital for this application and a good hydraulic capacity without compromising the integrity of joints. Another advantage that we offer over other pipe material candidates in the project, namely GRP and ductile iron pipes. Krah pipes are non-corrosive yet flexible that give a very good vantage point over the aforementioned pipe materials.This is our first hydro power project that also paved way to more opportunities to similar projects in Luzon and Mindanao. The power sector is now favoring the surmounting advantages of the use of Krah pipes for this kind of application. Another headrace pipeline project in North Luzon of diameters 2.4m to 3.5m diameters in Benguet. This was originally designed to be reinforced concrete box culvert that was planned to be completed in 3 years is innovating to use Krah pipes that will shorten the duration in more than half – benefiting both proponent and end users. More so, Krah pipes is proving to be a sustainable and a value-engineered solution to further advancements of infrastructure in the country.
Author
Jeneleen Lansangan
Krah Pipes Manila, Inc.