KANANGA, Leyte — Construction of the 2-megawatt Bao Hydroelectric Power Project in Ormoc City and Kananga, Leyte remains on track for commercial operation in the first quarter of 2027.

The Department of Energy-Visayas Field Office (DoE-VFO) said the project is among the critical power initiatives being monitored under Task Force 200, which aims to accelerate the completion and energization of key power generation projects nationwide.

The DoE-VFO, through its Electric Power Industry Management Division, recently conducted an onsite inspection and validation of the project with personnel of the Leyte V Electric Cooperative Inc. (LEYECO V).

As of 15 September, the project was 80.04 percent physically complete, with its target commercial operation date set for the first quarter of 2027, the DoE said.

“The onsite inspection provided an opportunity to validate the project’s progress and assess its current condition, as well as technical and site-related considerations relevant to its continued development,” the DoE-VFO said.

The inspection also covered the project’s development status, technical considerations and potential contribution to LEYECO V’s power supply requirements.

The DoE-VFO said field-level monitoring under Task Force 200 allows it to track critical power projects, identify potential bottlenecks and coordinate with project proponents to support their timely completion and operation.

Owned by LEYECO V, the Bao Hydroelectric Power Project is expected to generate 14.36 million kilowatt-hours annually. It is funded through a P44-million credit assistance agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Once completed, the project is expected to augment the electricity supply in Kananga, Matag-ob and Ormoc City.

LEYECO V earlier estimated that it could sell the electricity generated by the project at P5.60 per kWh during its first 11 years of operation and at an average of P3.80 per kWh thereafter.