CHAPTER 190: HYDRO PLANT?

October 16, 2029

Nueva Vizcaya

Timothy stepped out of the TG Horizon and faced the valley below. The air was cool. The kind of coolness that existed only in places far from Manila’s traffic, peso stores, and concrete heat traps. Before him, a river cut through the mountains. The water looked clear even from a distance, moving fast over rocks that had been there longer than any city in the country.

Hana joined him, pulling her jacket tighter. Her breath fogged slightly. Behind them, TG Energy Systems engineers unloaded equipment from the second vehicle and carried survey tools toward the ridge.

Timothy watched the river. He stayed silent for a few moments, letting the sound settle in. Water hitting stone. Water pulling downstream. Water that never stopped moving.

Hana opened her notebook. "We are not here for scenery. At least not officially."

Timothy nodded. "Show me the preliminary data."

She handed him a tablet with the survey file already open. The information came from government geological databases, old feasibility studies, and the data TG Energy Systems gathered in the past three months. The potential output estimates made the corners of his mouth rise slightly.

"Peak flow capacity is higher than expected," Timothy said. "This can support a mid-scale hydro plant. Maybe a ninety megawatt system if we manage the spillway engineering."

"The governor thinks you are here to propose a small community project," Hana said. "Something symbolic. Something easy."

"We never do anything symbolic," Timothy replied.

He started down the narrow dirt path. The ground sloped gently, enough to make shoes slide if you stepped carelessly. Timothy moved with steady footing. Hana followed, careful but not timid. They reached the riverbank where the water moved faster. The current tugged at the rocks. A mist rose in small ribbons.

The engineers were already taking measurements. Levels. Soil samples. Flow rate tests. One of them approached Timothy.

"Sir, the upstream bend has ideal conditions," he said. "Stable bedrock. Enough elevation drop. The natural curve can support a diversion structure."

"Good," Timothy said. "I want the intake design options ready by next week. Nothing large-scale yet. We wait until the provincial consultation."

"Understood."

The engineer went back to the team. Timothy crouched near the water. It felt colder than he expected. He looked across the valley again. Green slopes. Scattered houses. A small road that climbed toward a cluster of barangays. Life here moved slower. Problems existed, but not the kind created by urban greed. There were power outages, limited grid coverage, and dependency on diesel generators that cost residents too much.

That was why he came. TG Energy Systems had already committed to nuclear facilities. The SMR sites were progressing. The conventional plant design was under regulatory review. Those projects would stabilize Luzon. But Timothy understood something that many executives never learned. National power transformation did not come from mega-projects alone. It came from pushing electricity into places that had always been left behind.

He stood when he heard another vehicle approaching. A pickup truck parked near the top of the ridge. Two local officials stepped out, accompanied by their staff. The governor was not present. He sent the municipal representatives instead.

The first official, a middle-aged man with a calm expression, walked down toward them. "Mr. Guerrero. Thank you for visiting. The mayor was hoping you would stop by the municipal hall."

"We will," Timothy said, shaking his hand. "But we wanted to see the river before any discussions."

"You chose a good day," the official said. "No rain. The current is clear. In the rainy season it becomes stronger."

"That is exactly what we want to study," Timothy replied.

They all walked together along the waterline. Hana documented observations while the official explained local issues. Frequent brownouts. A lack of reliable irrigation systems. Limited employment. Families who relied on farming struggled because modern equipment could not run consistently.

Timothy listened without interrupting. He had heard these stories in other provinces. Different faces. Same problems.

When they reached a flat area near the bend of the river, Timothy stopped. He pointed at the slope above the water. "That is where the intake structure will likely go."

The official nodded. "And the power station?"

Timothy looked downstream. "Beside the rock formation near the elbow curve. It avoids deforestation and keeps construction impact minimal."

Hana made a note. "We also want to build access roads that benefit local farmers, not only TG personnel. That will be part of the community plan."

The official smiled. "The governor will appreciate that."

Timothy watched the river again. "How many households rely on diesel generators?"

"Almost one thousand," the official said. "Some pay more for diesel every month than their electricity bills would cost."

"That will change," Timothy said.

They continued the inspection. The engineers demonstrated a small drone used for mapping. It flew slowly above the water, taking depth readings and creating a 3D model of the river profile. Timothy watched the live feed on the tablet.

"Elevation drop is better than predicted," the engineer said. "This increases potential energy yield."

"Prepare the report tonight," Timothy said. "We will present it to the provincial board tomorrow."

As the group walked back toward the vehicles, a group of locals stood near the road. Some held baskets of vegetables. Others carried sacks for trading. They stared at the convoy with mixed expressions. Curiosity. Caution. Hope.

One woman stepped forward. She looked around thirty, wearing worn sandals and a faded shirt. She approached Hana first.

"Ma’am, is it true you will make electricity for our area?" she asked.

Hana nodded. "We are studying it. Nothing is final yet, but we want to help."

The woman looked at Timothy. "We heard stories. Some say it will bring jobs. Others say it will destroy land."

"We will not destroy your land," Timothy said. "We are not here to take anything away. We want to give your town a stable power source. That means better schools, better clinics, better farming tools. We are here to build something useful."

The woman looked at him carefully. Then she nodded. "I hope so, sir. Our children study with candles sometimes."

Timothy watched her walk back to her group. He stood quietly for several moments.

Hana spoke softly. "You are thinking about Manila again."

"No," Timothy said. "Not just Manila. The entire country."

He looked at the mountains around them. "If we want growth, we cannot build everything around one city. Energy must reach every province. That is how real development starts."

They returned to the vehicles. Before leaving, Timothy stood one last time at the viewing ridge. The river kept flowing, steady and unbothered. It reminded him of something he rarely had time to acknowledge. Progress required patience. This project would take years. It would demand consultation, engineering work, public approval, environmental studies, and thousands of man-hours. But if done right, it would power towns for generations.

"We move forward," he said.

Hana closed her notebook. "I will inform the governor’s office."