ERC clears 629-MW grid connections

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the development of point-to-point transmission facilities that will connect over 629 megawatts (MW) of renewable and energy storage capacity to the Luzon grid.

In a resolution posted on its website this week, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it authorized SMGP Power BESS Inc. during its May regular meeting to connect its 60-megawatt Lumban Battery Energy Storage System directly to the grid via the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’s (NGCP) 69-kilovolt Lumban Substation.

The Commission also gave the go-ahead to Megasol Energy 1 Inc. to link its 41.244-MWac Gamu Solar Power Plant to NGCP’s 69-kV Gamu-Roxas transmission line. Energy Development Corp. secured approval to connect its 5.645-MW Bago Binary Geothermal Power Plant to the grid via the 138-kV Bacolod Substation. 

Cornerstone Energy Development Inc. received authority to connect its 58.5-MW Camarines Sur Wind Power Project through a tap connection to NGCP’s Naga–Libmanan 69-kV line. 

Meanwhile, Sapang Balen Solar Second Energy Corporation was allowed to connect its 463.995-MW Sapang Balen 2 Solar Power Plant, initially through the Mexico-Concepcion 230-kV line and later via the Magalang 230-kV Substation.

The power regulator, however, reiterated that all approvals are subject to the conditions and instructions set by the Commission during its deliberations. In connection with Megasol’s project, the ERC also directed NGCP to submit its protocol on generation curtailment.

Connecting power projects to the grid requires ERC approval to develop and own dedicated point-to-point transmission facilities, which allow direct linkage to the grid without relying on shared transmission infrastructure.