The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has granted First Gen Hydro Power Corporation (FGHPC), a subsidiary of clean energy provider First Gen Corporation, a Special Use Agreement in Protected Areas (SAPA) to develop a 120-megawatt pumped storage hydroelectric facility in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija.
The agreement, which is valid for 25 years, enables Lopez-led FGHPC to use a 36-hectare portion of the 84,000-hectare Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve for its Aya pumped-storage hydroelectric power project while preserving the project site as part of a protected area.
This reaffirms FGHPC’s commitment to pursue the project in accordance with Republic Act No. 11038, also known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act.
As part of the agreement, FGHPC remitted a P69.1 million check as SAPA fee to the DENR.
