Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership Project
In 1995, the Ifugao Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras were inscribed in the World Heritage List. For 2,000 anni, the high rice fields of the Ifugao have followed the contours of the mountains. The fruit of knowledge handed down from one generation to the next, and the expression of sacred traditions and a delicate social balance, they have helped to create a landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between humankind and the environment.
Deforestazione, la modernizzazione e il cambiamento climatico, tuttavia, minacciare di distruggere le terrazze di riso. Quindi, in 2001, confrontarsi con il deterioramento delle terrazze di riso e citando carenze di pianificazione della conservazione per le terrazze di riso, UNESCO li ha posti nella lista del Patrimonio Mondiale in Pericolo.
Clean, Renewable Hydropower Protects “Stairways to Heaven”.
© Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership. Mini-hydro power plant.
In linea con la sua missione per affrontare i problemi di elettricità e di promuovere lo sviluppo sostenibile, the Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership proposed to the Philippine authorities the development of a 200 kW run-of-river progetto idroelettrico che avrebbe generato ricavi sostenibili destinati alla conservazione delle terrazze di riso. La Repubblica delle Filippine è benedetto con abbondanti risorse di energia idroelettrica che possono aiutare ad affrontare i cambiamenti climatici, fornendo nel contempo un modello di sviluppo energetico a base locale sostenibile, vitalizzazione regionale e la conservazione del patrimonio.
Dopo diversi anni di pre-fattibilità, studi di fattibilità e ambientali, tra cui ampie consultazioni pubbliche, e un periodo di costruzione di 10 mesi, l'impianto mini-idroelettrico sul fiume Ambangal è stato inaugurato nel gennaio 25, 2010. Photo Gallery.
Building a hydropower plant is a challenging task. In the case of the Ifugao Ambangal Mini-hydro Power Plant, the construction was even more demanding. Steep slopes, limited site accessibility and severe weather that could provoke landslides posed additional difficulties with regard to performing the work in a timely and safe manner. Under such astringent conditions, the use of heavy machinery was very impractical. In this respect the project represented an innovative challenge with regard to construction techniques and minimisation of the environmental impact.
Photo Gallery, with the main contribution provided by TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company). Other GSEP participating members were KANSAI Electric Power Company, Électricité de France, ENEL S.p.A., RWE AG and Hydro-Québec.
Empowering the stakeholders and conserving the heritage
During all phases of project implementation, the Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership team members shared their expertise with participants from the Philippine Department of Energy and the Ifugao Provincial Government technical and management staff who formed a Technical Working Group dedicated to the project’s development. Various activities were assigned to the group members, creating a participation process where each individual could contribute, share his/her experience, Photo Gallery, and develop the tools to manage the Rice Terraces Conservation Fund.
Al centro di questo progetto è stata la creazione della terrazza Conservation Fund Riso. All proceeds from the power generated by the Ifugao-Ambangal Mini-hydro Power Plant, eccezione di quelli necessari per il funzionamento e la manutenzione dell'impianto, andrà a scopi di conservazione terrazze: mantenimento e la stabilizzazione delle terrazze di riso, e sistemi di irrigazione per invertire il deterioramento. Thanks to the efforts deployed by UNESCO and initiatives like the GSEP’s Ifugao-Ambangal Mini-hydro project, the Ifugao Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras were removed from the list of World Heritage in Danger in June 2012.
Lessons learned and replicability
The project is a perfect example of true sustainable energy development, providing much needed clean, renewable electricity to the region, improving quality of life for people working in the rice terraces, and contributing to the conservation of a world-renowned cultural heritage. Local communities, Photo Gallery, welcomed the new hydropower plant and benefit from it in several ways.
Sustainable energy projects such as the Ifugao-Ambangal Mini-hydro Project can protect our heritage while improving quality of life today. By showcasing this pilot project, the Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership hopes that it will lead to the development of other small-scale renewable energy projects in the region to improve quality of life and conserve heritage.
