SAN ROQUE Hydropower, Inc. (SRHI), a unit of San Miguel Global Power, Inc. (SMGP), is expanding its renewable energy portfolio with a planned 400-megawatt (MW) pumped-storage hydropower project in Pangasinan.
In a filing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, SRHI said it plans to pursue the San Roque Optimization pumped-storage hydropower project, which can span 4 towns across the province.
The project will involve key components, including a lower dam and storage pond, pumphouse, waterways, access roads, and a transmission line.
“The project features of the 400-MW facility highlight its potential for substantial energy production and integration into the present grid,” the corporate said.
A pumped-storage hydropower facility generates electricity by releasing water from an upper reservoir to a lower one through a turbine during discharge.
With recent capability coming online from solar and wind projects, SRHI said the combination of pumped-storage hydropower would function a “grid-balancing solution” attributable to its ability to store large volumes of energy and respond quickly to fluctuations.
“Looking ahead, technological advancements and the mixture of PSH (pumped-storage hydropower) with other energy storage solutions will strengthen the grid, facilitating a transition toward a more sustainable energy future,” the corporate said.
The proposed project is scheduled for public scoping on July 11. The activity marks an early stage within the environmental impact assessment process, during which the proponent will present an summary of the proposed development and gather public inputs and concerns.
SMGP, the ability arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), maintains a diversified energy portfolio across conventional and renewable sources.
The conglomerate led the country’s power generation sector in 2024, accounting for 22.44% of the national grid. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera