Bakun scheme will generate 70 MW at high head and involves much tunnelling. Design engineer Halcrow Water Power for design and construct contractor Transfield Philippines. Nov 1998.   $150 million run of river project is remotely located in the provinces of Benguet, Ilocos Sur and La Union with limited and difficult access. Sponsored by National Power Corporation under 25 year BOOT scheme to Luzon Hydro Corporation. Intake tunnel 9.2 km together with 2 km of 2.5 m-diameter steel penstock completed, but unforeseen ground conditions have necessitated steel lining of a further 1.8 km of intake which will be completed by March, 2000. Contract completion is scheduled for June, 2000. Contact through www.halcrow.com and www.transfield.com.au February 2000.  Proposal mooted for 9 km-long tunnel with mini hydro up the valley chain from power station currently under construction from which the return water will deposit in the Bakun weir enabling the plant to generate electricity for the full 12 months of the year. Visit www.halcrow.com for contact. February 2000.Cordillera Hydro, a consortium of Australian-based Pacific Hydro and the Aboitz group of the Philippines, has awarded McConnell Dowell a contract for the construction of the 4 km Kayapa diversion tunnel, as part of the AUD24 million Bakun supplemental hydro project which, when completed, will feed additional water into the Bakun AC power plant and boost the output by about 50 GWh. The project is located on the Bakun River in Luzon, about 250 km north of Manila. Excavation will be carried out by the drill/blast method using rail mounted equipment. The project also involves construction of two weirs. The project is due for completion in mid 2005. Visit www.pacifichydro.com.au and www.macdow.com.au 31-32/04.