AboitizPower starts 60-MW battery hub, targets 2027 operations
Daily TribuneABOITIZPOWER is set to construct the 60-megawatt Naga BESS project in Naga City, Cebu, following a groundbreaking ceremony led by (from left) AboitizPower Transition Business Group SVP for Project Development and Execution Volt Cruz, TBG COO Aldo Ramos, and TBG president Celso Caballero III, together with Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Energy Undersecretary Mario Marasigan, and Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong, as well as AboitizPower TBG Regional COO for Visayas Rhea Navarro and Distribution Business Group SVP and COO Anton Perdices.
PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of AboitizPower
Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) has begun constructing a 60-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) in Cebu, with commercial operations targeted by next year to strengthen grid reliability in the Visayas and support the integration of more renewable energy.
The company said Wednesday the standalone battery facility will be built within the Naga Power Plant Complex in Barangay Colon, Naga City, Cebu.
Once operational, it will provide contingency and regulating reserve services to help the power grid respond more quickly to fluctuations in electricity supply and demand.
Investment in technologies
AboitizPower Transition Business Group president Celso C. Caballero III said the project is part of the company’s investment in technologies to improve grid flexibility and resilience.
“Naga BESS represents transformation in action. It reflects our efforts to strengthen the energy system by investing in people, infrastructure and technology to enhance flexibility, resilience and reliability of the grid,” Caballero said.
Battery energy storage systems store surplus electricity and release it when needed to supplement supply or improve power quality, making them a critical technology for integrating variable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind into the grid.
Demonstrates innovation and sustainability
“The Department of Energy commends AboitizPower for their continued confidence in the Philippine energy future. Your investment demonstrates the innovation and sustainability that can go beyond what we have been dreaming of,” Energy Undersecretary Mario Marasigan said.
“While we continuously convince and invite investment in renewable energy technologies, we need this technological support to create a reliable and efficient system,” he added.
According to AboitizPower, the project transforms the Naga Power Plant Complex, which was built by the National Power Corp. in the 1980s and acquired by AboitizPower in 2018 through the government’s privatization program.
Its former coal- and diesel-fired generating units have since been decommissioned and demolished as the company repurposes the site to support the country’s energy transition.