Philippines' Maton Hydropower Project Faces Community Pushback

Aug 7, 2026

67 min

Aug 7, 2026 02:30

Philippines: 2,000-MW Maton hydropower project, a ₱457-billion grid 'water battery' for Luzon, faces tough pushback

## Overview

The proposed Maton Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Project in the Philippines, designed to provide 2,000 megawatts of power, is encountering significant resistance from local communities and indigenous groups. The project, valued at ₱457 billion, aims to stabilize the Luzon grid by acting as a large-scale "water battery."

## Project Details

Located in Apayao province, the Maton project is expected to support over 2 million households by storing and releasing energy as needed. The Philippine Department of Energy approved a design change in December 2024, transitioning from a run-of-river to a pumped-storage configuration.

## Community Concerns

Residents and indigenous groups have raised concerns about potential environmental impacts, including disruption to river ecosystems and water quality. The project's construction could affect fish populations and indigenous lands, raising issues of ancestral domain rights and traditional livelihoods.

## Regulatory and Environmental Review

In April 2025, the Environmental Management Bureau conducted a public scoping session to gather feedback as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process. The Board of Investments granted "green-lane" status to expedite the project's approval, despite ongoing community objections.

## Historical Context

The Maton project follows earlier controversies surrounding Pan Pacific's Gened 1 and Gened 2 projects, which faced delays due to issues with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent process. Ensuring compliance with these processes remains crucial for the Maton project's progress.

Read the full story at the source

What you need to know to get Emirates ID?

Leave your details and get a guide as a gift to avoid mistakes

Article contents