Century-Old Asin Hydropower System Faces Legal and Regulatory Challenges

Jul 12, 2026

70 min

Jul 12, 2026 09:31

Philippines: Why a century-old hydropower system that once powered Baguio remains silent

## Background

The Asin Hydropower System, a historic renewable energy facility in the Philippines, has been inactive since 2012. Built between 1921 and 1936, it once supplied electricity to Baguio City. However, disputes over jurisdiction and expired permits have kept the plants silent.

## Recent Developments

A proposal by Repower Energy Development Corp. to rehabilitate the Asin plants was recently rejected by the Baguio City Council. The plan aimed to increase the plants' capacity from 4.3 MW to 9.4 MW. However, issues regarding jurisdiction, regulatory approvals, and community consent have stalled the project.

## Jurisdictional Disputes

The Asin plants are owned by Baguio City but are located in Tuba, Benguet. This has led to complex governance issues. The Baguio City Council's rejection was partly due to engineering revisions that extended into Tuba, prompting calls for the project to be reviewed by Tuba's local government.

## Regulatory and Indigenous Rights Issues

The Department of Energy has questioned whether Repower's contracts cover new facilities rather than rehabilitating existing ones. Additionally, indigenous communities in Tuba demand compliance with the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act, requiring Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) before any redevelopment.

## Broader Implications

The stalled rehabilitation of the Asin Hydropower System highlights the challenges faced by renewable energy projects in the Philippines. Legal, regulatory, and social hurdles continue to impede progress, raising questions about the country's ability to meet its renewable energy goals.

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