Aboitiz expands battery storage w/ Magat, Binga projects

The 16-MW Magat BESS Phase 2, which broke ground on Thursday, will be integrated with the existing 24-MW Magat BESS 1, which began operations on January 2024. Once completed, the combined 40-MW system will provide ancillary services, such as regulating and contingency reserves, to enhance grid reliability.

FROM left: Ramon Mayor Jesus Laddaran, Norwegian Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster, Scatec VP for Business Development and Country manager Andrea Co, and SNAP president and CEO Joseph Yu lead the groundbreaking ceremony for SNAP’s Magat BESS Phase 2 at the Magat Hydroelectric Plant in Ramon, Isabela. Photograph courtesy of SN Aboitiz Power Group

Published on:

21 Feb 2025, 16:20

SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) has started construction on the second phase of its Magat Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Ramon, Isabela — a move advancing its goal to expand its energy storage capacity to 80 megawatts (MW) by 2026.

The 16-MW Magat BESS Phase 2, which broke ground on Thursday, will be integrated with the existing 24-MW Magat BESS 1, which began operations in January 2024.

Once completed, the combined 40-MW system will provide ancillary services, such as regulating and contingency reserves, to enhance grid reliability.

New technology

“New technology and new technological solutions are paramount to the energy transition, aligning with our common ambition for renewable energy and green growth,” Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster said on Friday.

SNAP also signed an engineering, procurement, and construction deal with GEDI China Energy for the 40-MW Binga BESS in Benguet.

At the same event, SNAP launched its Integrated Remote Operations Center (iROC) at the Magat hydropower complex, which will provide real-time monitoring and control of its facilities in Isabela and Benguet.

Enhancing energy security

“These initiatives reflect our commitment to providing innovative and sustainable energy solutions,” said SNAP president and CEO Joseph Yu. “With the additional 56 MW of BESS projects and the launch of iROC, we are not only increasing energy supply but also enhancing energy security and grid stability.”

Construction is set to begin in the first half of 2025, with commercial operations targeted for early 2026.

The Magat BESS Phase 2 will be financed by the Bank of the Philippine Islands and China Banking Corporation, while BPI and BDO Unibank will fund the Binga BESS project.

Bank of the Philippine Islands