An 820kW hydropower plant has been officially inaugurated in the Ifugao province of the Philippines.
The project, which has been funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was developed to help supply electricity and support rice terrace conservation efforts in Asipulo.
Forming part of the Japanese government’s initiative to share technology with its development partners, the project is expected to help to boost the province’s revenues considerably, with part of its projects going to the Rice Terraces Conservation Fund.
"We are sharing Japanese technology developed by our small and medium enterprises that can be applied to maximize the hydropower potential available in the Philippines, especially in the Cordillera," said JICA Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa in a statement. "The project is also an example of Japan-Philippines win-win partnership where we work together to support clean energy supply, while supporting the local community’s efforts to protect the environment."