SNAP ushers smart hydropower plant

As a power plant, flood control structure, and source of residential and irrigation water, the Magat Dam’s operation is very complex. In running its dam and spillway, turbines and generators, electrical substations and transmission lines, as well as sensors for water level, pressure, vibration and weather, engineers must ensure safe management of unpredictable water, protect communities, support agriculture, and generate electricity — all at the same time.

Adding to the complexity is the human and institutional layers as they have to coordinate with the national grid operators, weather agencies, local governments, disaster response agencies, farmers and water users. That complexity is exactly why tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and data science are used to help humans make better decisions in a system where mistakes can have serious consequences.

SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP), operator of the Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant (MHPP) in the boundary of Ifugao and Isabela provinces since 2007, started rolling out its Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Program (DSAI) in the 2020s to transform workers into data scientists, empowering them to optimize operations, improve forecasting accuracy, and drive operational efficiency across SNAP’s portfolio of hydroelectric power plants.

“We believe that digital transformation is key to unlocking the full potential of renewable energy. At SNAP, innovation is geared towards helping energize a sustainable energy future for all,” said company president and CEO Joseph Yu. 

DSAI helps SNAP workers operate power plants more safely by predicting problems early, reducing guesswork, preventing accidents, and making daily work less stressful and more organized. On 23 October 2025, SNAP won the IT and Innovative Tech categories of the 2025 Asian Power Awards held in Malaysia, in recognition of its cutting-edge AI program at the MHPP.

Aboitiz Renewables Inc. (ARI) was also honored at the event for excellence in clean energy and innovation, being named Independent Power Producer of the Year for its 173-megawatt peak Calatrava Solar Project.

These recognitions highlight how renewable energy operations and digital tools support efficiency, reliability, and the evolving needs of the Philippine power system.