First Gen Targets 600 MW Hydro by 2030, Advances Solar-Hybrid Run-of-River Strategy

First Gen Corporation is positioning run-of-river (ROR) hydropower as a more flexible and dispatchable resource through hybrid integration with solar, wind and battery energy storage systems, according to Senior Vice President Dennis Michael Gonzales.

Speaking at the 3rd Philippine Hydro Summit and Exhibition, held November 18–19 at Crowne Plaza Manila, Gonzales said hybrid configurations will strengthen grid stability and accelerate the Philippines’ renewable energy transition.

First Gen currently operates 3,700 MW of installed capacity, including 300 MW of hydropower. The company plans to double its hydro portfolio to over 600 MW by 2030, contributing to its broader strategy of reaching 13 GW of capacity, with 9 GW sourced from renewables.

Gonzales said ROR plants already provide essential firming and reserve services but can deliver better performance when colocated with renewable and storage assets. He noted that the company is studying integrated development within the Casecnan–Pantabangan watershed, including pumped storage, solar, wind, and battery projects.

He added that developers can boost reliability in remote areas by slightly oversizing generators or increasing weir height to create limited storage for evening demand—measures that can improve competitiveness and balance variable solar output.

Gonzales emphasized that unlocking more hydropower potential will require stronger government backing, including aligned planning between national and local governments, accelerated transmission development, fair cost-recovery tariffs, and streamlined permitting.

“When regulation recognizes the nuances of hydro, we can unlock the potential of a 24/7 clean and renewable energy future,” he said.

Gonzales previously said the company is advancing over 200 MW of new hydro capacity, including a 100-MW pumped-storage project and three ROR plants in Mindanao, as part of its 2030 expansion agenda.