The economic impact of soil erosion on hydroelectric power and irrigation facilities operating in the Philippines

Date

1999

Abstract

The study examined the off-site cost of soil erosion in the Philippines, focusing on foregone benefits from hydroelectric power and irrigation services provided by the major reservoirs in the country. The study also estimated the cost of dredging as a tool to maintain the designed lifespan of the reservoir.There were 12 watershed selected, three of which were chosen for an in-depth off-site estimation. These are the watersheds of Magat, Pantabangan and Ambuklao. Data used were provided by National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Power Corporation (NPC) and Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM). The result demonstrates that a 50 to 100 percent increase of actual sedimentation rate over the predicted rate used in the design of a typical reservoir like Magat and Ambuklao would lead to a 40 percent - 60 percent reduction in the economic life of the reservoir. It means that an excess of 2 to 4 MCM over the predicted sedimentation rate used in the design stage would mean a one-year reduction in the life of the reservoir for generating power. The result further illustrates that given an annual average rate of sedimentation of 5.55 to 8.27 MCM and a 50 percent sediment deposition in the live storage, three (3) MCM, on the average, of the live storage capacity would be displaced annually. The estimated damage of each cubic meter of sediment that enters into the reservoir translates to a foregone value for power generation ranging from a loss of P0.30 in terms of irrigation benefit.To avoid the foregone potential benefit from power generation, dredging is necessary. It was calculated that dredging activities are worth undertaking. On the average, a one-hectare of reservoir would provide P114,845 worth of power generation benefit. To maintain the power generation service, P49,106 should be invested in dredging per hectare of the reservoir.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Environmental Science

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 995 1999 E8 I53

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