BusinessWorld Online cited SUWECO Chairman Elizaldy Co as saying that the Villasiga 1 will be ready for commissioning on 5 July but an official inauguration ceremony will be held in August.
Located in Barangay Igsoro in the municipality of Bugasong, Antique province, Philippines, the PHP1,400m ($32m) project will source its water requirements from the Paliuan River.
SUWECO had signed a 20-year power supply agreement in July 2013 with Antique Electric for the output of Villasiga 1.
SUWECO, in addition to the 8MW plant, is planning to develop the 9.4MW Villasiga 2 within the same area worth about PHP 2000m ($45.7m).
"For the Villasiga 2, we’re just working on the financial closing and some other permits from local government units," Co added.
"I think we could start sometime next year."
Additionally, SUWECO is planning to begin commercial operations for two other projects, which include four mini hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 7.5MW on Tablas Island in Romblon province, and a 5MW diesel plant in Catanduanes, by the end of 2014 at the earliest.
"By December and January, we are expecting the two projects to be online," Co said.
