Ambuklao Dam
{{Short description|Dam in Benguet, Philippines}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Ambuklao Dam and Hydroelectric Plant
| location_map = Luzon mainland#Philippines
| location_map_caption = Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines
| coordinates = {{coord|16.460419|N|120.744885|E|dim:30_region:PH_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| image = Ambuklao Dam captured by Mitchell Yumul.jpeg
| image_size = 240px
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| owner = National Power Corporation
| name_official = Ambuklao Dam
| dam_crosses = Agno River
| res_name = Ambuklao reservoir
| country = Philippines
| location = Bokod, Benguet
| dam_type = Central Core Rock-fill Embankment
| dam_length = {{convert|452|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_height = {{convert|129|m|abbr=on}}
| dam_width_base = {{convert|8.50|m|abbr=on}}
| construction_began = July 1950
| opening = December 23, 1956
| cost = Php 132,000,000 (66,000,000 USD)
| res_capacity_total = {{convert|327,170,000|m3|cuyd|abbr=on}} with no sedimentation
| res_capacity_active = {{convert|258,000,000|m3|cuyd|abbr=on}} with no sedimentation
| res_catchment = {{convert|690|km2|abbr=on}}
| res_surface = {{convert|7.5|km2|abbr=on}}
| spillway_count = 8
| plant_turbines = 3 units, Francis horizontal shaft
| plant_annual_gen = {{convert|332|GWh|abbr=on|lk=on}}
| plant_capacity = 75 MW, 105 MW after rehabilitation (2011)
}}
Ambuklao Dam is part of a hydroelectric facility in Baragay Ambuclao, Bokod, Benguet province in the Philippines. With a maximum water storage capacity of {{convert|327170000|m3|acre.ft}}, the facility, which is located {{convert|36|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Baguio, can produce up to 105 megawatts of electricity for the Luzon grid. The main source of water is 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.{{Cite web |title=Ambuklao Dam |url=http://www.cityofpines.com/ambuklao.html |url-status=dead |website=cityofpines.com |access-date=September 25, 2007 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011052901/http://www.cityofpines.com/ambuklao.html }}
The dam and other non-power components are owned by the government through the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).{{Cite web |title=Ambuklao Dam |url=http://www.napocor.gov.ph/npcdams/index.php/our-dams/ambuklao-dam |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103631/http://www.napocor.gov.ph/npcdams/index.php/our-dams/ambuklao-dam |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=January 14, 2016 |website=National Power Corporation}} 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
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 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.
Having gone online in 1956, the dam was affected by the 1990 Luzon earthquake, which caused siltation and technical problems that affected the plant's operations. Ambuklao was eventually decommissioned in 1999. In the meantime, fisheries began operating on the reservoir in 1994 despite its surface area being reduced from 700 hectares to 400 hectares due to siltation.{{Cite web |title=Benguet village discovers new economy as hydro dam is reborn |url=https://business.inquirer.net/9707/benguet-village-discovers-new-economy-as-hydro-dam-is-reborn |website=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=September 7, 2024 }}
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.{{Cite news |last=Gatdula |first=Donnabelle L. |date=October 26, 2011 |title=Aboitiz Group Opens Ambuklao Dam |work=Philstar Global |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2011/10/26/740905/aboitiz-group-opens-ambuklao-dam |access-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417042347/https://www.philstar.com/business/2011/10/26/740905/aboitiz-group-opens-ambuklao-dam |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |title=Ambuklao Hydroelectric Power Plant |url=http://www.snaboitiz.com/?page_id=4730 |access-date=January 14, 2016 |website=SN Aboitiz |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018092422/http://www.snaboitiz.com/?page_id=4730 |url-status=dead}}
Ambuklao is designed as a peaking plant and is capable of delivering energy and providing ancillary services needed to stabilize the grid.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Dams in the Philippines}}
{{Agno River dams}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Dams completed in 1956