Ambuklao Dam and Hydroelectric Plant
Ambuklao Dam is located in Philippines
Ambuklao Dam
Location within the Philippines
Official nameAmbuklao Dam
CountryPhilippines
LocationBokod, Benguet
Coordinates16°27′38″N 120°44′42″E / 16.460419°N 120.744885°E / 16.460419; 120.744885
Construction beganJuly 1950
Opening dateDecember 23, 1956
Construction costPhp 132,000,000 (66,000,000 USD)
Owner(s)National Power Corporation
Dam and spillways
Type of damCentral Core Rock-fill Embankment
ImpoundsAgno River
Height129 m (423 ft)
Length452 m (1,483 ft)
Width (base)8.50 m (27.9 ft)
Spillways8
Reservoir
CreatesAmbuklao reservoir
Total capacity327,170,000 m3 (427,920,000 cu yd) with no sedimentation
Active capacity258,000,000 m3 (337,000,000 cu yd) with no sedimentation
Catchment area690 km2 (270 sq mi)
Surface area7.5 km2 (2.9 sq mi)
Power Station
Turbines3 units, Francis horizontal shaft
Installed capacity75 MW, 105 MW after rehabilitation (2011)
Annual generation332 GWh (1,200 TJ)

Ambuklao Dam is part of a hydroelectric facility in Baragay Ambuclao, Bokod, Benguet province in the Philippines. With a maximum water storage capacity of 327,170,000 cubic metres (265,240 acre⋅ft), the facility, which is located 36 km (22 mi) from Baguio city, can produce up to 105 megawatts of electricity to the Luzon grid. The main source of water comes from the Agno River, which originates from Mount Data. The dam is located in a conservation area known as the Upper Agno River Basin Resource Reserve.[1]

The dam and other non-power components are owned by the government through the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).[2] The name of the dam is also used as a metonym for National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) power lines and their associated poles and towers.

Ambuklao Hydro

Ambuklao reservoir

The Ambuklao Hydroelectric Power Plant is one of the oldest power plants in the country and was among the first large hydroelectric power plants constructed in the Philippines. The development of the Agno River for purposes of hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and irrigation had been conceived as early as the late 1940s. Preliminary investigations for development at the Ambuklao and Binga Dam sites were undertaken as early as January 1948. Running along the upper portion of the Agno River, Ambuklao Hydro was constructed for power generation and flood control.

In July 1990, a massive earthquake hit Luzon, resulting in siltation and technical problems that affected the plant's operations. Ambuklao was eventually decommissioned in 1999.

On November 28, 2007, SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (SNAP-Benguet) won the public bid for Ambuklao and its neighboring power facility Binga, which were sold as a package under the power sector privatization program of the Philippine government. SNAP-Benguet is a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corporation.[3]

SNAP-Benguet began a massive rehabilitation project that restored Ambuklao to operating status and increased its capacity from 75 MW to 105 MW. The project required the construction of a new intake, headrace and penstock, elevation of tailrace tunnel outlet, de-silting of tailrace tunnel and replacement of electro-mechanical components. In June 2011, Unit 3 became the first turbine unit to go on-line, followed by the other two units. Ambuklao was formally inaugurated in October 2011.[4]

Ambuklao is designed as a peaking plant and is capable of delivering energy and providing ancillary services needed to stabilize the grid.

References

  1. "Ambuklao Dam". cityofpines.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  2. "Ambuklao Dam". National Power Corporation. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  3. Gatdula, Donnabelle L. (October 26, 2011). "Aboitiz Group Opens Ambuklao Dam". Philstar Global. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  4. "Ambuklao Hydroelectric Power Plant". SN Aboitiz. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
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