Aboitiz to pursue expansion of Benguet hydropower plant

MANILA, Philippines - The Aboitiz group yesterday said it is pushing through with the expansion of its hydroelectric facility in Benguet.

SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. which will undertake the project, said the rehabilitation of the Ambuklao hydroelectric power plant located in Bokod, Benguet Province is underway.

Ownership of the Ambuklao and Binga Hydroelectric Power Plants was transferred to SN Aboitiz Power in July of 2008 after winning the bid conducted by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM).

“We are proud to announce that SN Aboitiz Power has commenced the rehabilitation of the Ambuklao plant in compliance with our obligation to PSALM under the sale agreement and as our contribution in ensuring the supply of renewable energy in the Luzon grid in the coming years,” SN Aboitiz Power CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio said.

The rehabilitation of the Ambuklao plant formally started in December of 2008 with the start of the civil works aspect of the rehabilitation.

Electro-mechanical works will commence this month. The rehabilitation is planned over a two-year period and is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. 

The Ambuklao plant rehabilitation project is being implemented by a team of leading foreign and local experts in hydropower construction headed by its Norwegian project director Rolf Baaserud.

Considered a major project, the rehabilitation of the Ambuklao plant will make use of existing areas and facilities turned over by National Power Corp. (Napocor) to SN Aboitiz Power and will not cause any displacement or disturbance in the area.

SN Aboitiz Power made sure that all permits and licenses were secured with the appropriate government agencies and the necessary consultations with the host communities were made prior to commencing the project.

“We are satisfied with the support we are getting for the Ambuklao rehabilitation project from all sectors of the community as well as the provincial and local governments of Benguet even as we look forward to this continuing support to successfully complete the project. The project has already generated employment among the local community and is expected to generate more opportunities as it progress,” Rubio said.

SN Aboitiz Power Inc. (SN Aboitiz) is a consortium composed of SN Power of Norway (through its holding company in Singapore) and Aboitiz Power Corp., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV). SN Aboitiz is a majority Filipino-owned power-generation company.