High in the mountains of northern Luzon, something unusual is happening. Energy companies are planting forests to keep the lights on.
A renewable energy partnership between Filipino utility SN Aboitiz Power Group and Norway’s Scatec is linking trees directly to electricity production, Power Philippines reports.
The reason is simple. Hydropower needs steady water flow, and water flow depends on forests.
If trees disappear, rainwater rushes away too fast, rivers become unstable and power generation becomes unreliable.
So the solution is surprisingly basic: plant more trees and protect the land.
The company is doing large reforestation projects in northern Philippines. They are planting trees, fixing damaged land, and helping prevent forest fires.
Local communities are also involved. People help maintain forests, manage land, and protect watersheds that feed the rivers.
Thousands of hectares have already been restored. Millions of trees have been planted over the years, with most of them surviving and growing.
Even small environmental changes in the mountains can affect electricity for entire regions.
As climate change brings more extreme weather, the question is becoming bigger: can forests and water systems be protected enough to keep energy systems running?
For now, this project is betting on one clear idea: no forests – no power.
