Balance of power from TMI’s BESS

AboitizPower Corporation subsidiary Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) started construction of the 48-megawatt (MW) Hybrid Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte on 21 April, marking another important step in boosting grid stability and supporting the country’s growing renewable energy (RE) share.

The BESS, which is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2026, will be integrated with TMI Mobile 2, a 100-MW oil-fired floating power barge located in Lawis, Sta. Ana, Nasipit.

The integration allows the battery to absorb excess energy from the plant when demand is low and quickly discharge power when demand spikes, reducing the need for continuous fossil fuel combustion.

The BESS will be controlled by an energy management system that can predict energy demand patterns, automatically charge or discharge the batteries and provide ancillary services like frequency regulation and reactive power support. It is designed to scale with future RE projects — like solar or wind — making it a key building block for a smarter, greener grid.

AboitizPower Transition Business Group chief operating officer for operated assets Ronaldo Ramos described the BESS as “a smart solution for a smarter energy landscape.”

TMI Mobile 2 plays a crucial role in providing flexible, on-demand power to the Mindanao grid, especially during peak demand periods or when RE sources are insufficient.

AboitizPower pioneered the hybrid BESS technology. Its first BESS is in TMI Mobile 1 in Maco, Davao de Oro which went online three years ago.

“These oil-fired power plants, coupled with the BESS technology, play a crucial role in providing fast, responsive power to help balance supply and demand in the grid as an ancillary service. Ancillary services or backup power are support functions that ensure a reliable and stable power system,” the company said, according to Philippine News Agency.