105-MW Ambuklao now up and running

SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Benguet Inc. will fully commission on Tuesday the 105-megawatt Ambuklao hydroelectric power plant after the company rehabilitated the facility that was last seen running in 1999.

“When we took over the Ambuklao Plant in 2008, it had been shut down and under preservation by National Power Corp. (Napocor) for close to nine years due to technical problems sustained after a major earthquake in 1990,” said SNAP president and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio. “Several attempts were made by Napocor to restore the capacity of the plant prior to our acquisition, to no avail.”

Rubio said SNAP-Benguet gave its commitment to the government that it would revive the Ambuklao plant and make it operational again.

“Backed by the strong technical expertise of our Norwegian partner SN Power, our joint venture infused another $280 million, in addition to the $325 million purchase price, to embark on the rehabilitation and refurbishment of the Ambuklao and Binga plants not only to restore the capacity of these historic facilities but to also increase them by 105 MW and 120 MW, respectively,” Rubio said.

SN Power is majority-owned by Statkraft of Norway, the leading renewable energy provider in Europe.

“The rehabilitation of Ambuklao plant alone sets another milestone in the Philippine hydropower industry as the first of its kind in terms of scope and magnitude,” Rubio further said.

SNAP-Benguet has successfully put online the first 35 MW unit of the Ambuklao plant on June 1 this year, while the remaining two units are now running.

“The inauguration of the Ambuklao plant’s new 105 MW capacity will make available clean and renewable energy to millions of Filipinos in the Luzon Grid. The Ambuklao plant is now also registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and expected to generate 180,000 carbon credits (CERs),” Rubio said.

“This is the realization of SNAP-Benguet and the government’s strong and long-term commitment to renewable power for all,” he added.

With the theme “The Power to Renew,” the inauguration of the Ambuklao plant Tuesday will highlight SNAP-Benguet’s passion for innovation and excellence, renew its pledge for the development of surrounding communities, and honor the rich indigenous culture of the residents of Benguet.

“The inauguration of the Ambuklao plant will be a testament to the heights of what public and private partnerships can achieve in making available clean and renewable energy to all Filipinos,” Rubio said.