RENEWABLE ENERGY developer ACEN Corp. plans to construct a 2,000-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) to offer a stable power supply from its largest solar farm within the Philippines.
SanMar Solar, Inc., a subsidiary of ACEN, goals to integrate the BESS into the 585-megawatt (MW) SanMar Solar project in Zambales, in line with the corporate’s filing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The energy storage system is projected to cost P15.88 billion and will probably be built on the southern section of the 10-hectare solar plant.
“The development and installation of the BESS will probably be undertaken throughout the area already covered by the approved ECC (environmental compliance certificate), and no additional land or expansion beyond the present ECC coverage will probably be required,” the corporate said.
A BESS stores energy generated from an influence facility and may supply electricity to the grid in periods of insufficient supply or peak demand.
SanMar said the proposed project will even deliver ancillary services to the grid operator to support the reliable operation of the transmission system.
“Without availability of ancillary services, the steadiness of the transmission capability and the standard, reliability, and security of the facility grid could also be compromised,” the corporate said.
Currently, around 385 MW of the solar plant is operational, while 200 MW is under construction and is anticipated to be accomplished by the third quarter of 2027.
The BESS project is scheduled for industrial operation by the primary quarter of 2028 to harness capability from the solar farm and provide it to the grid.
A public scoping activity for the project is scheduled on March 16. This early stage of the environmental impact assessment process allows the project proponent to present an outline of the event and gather issues and concerns from stakeholders.
The SanMar Solar expansion is an element of ACEN’s 7.1-gigawatt renewable energy portfolio.
Beyond the Philippines, ACEN also has operations in Australia, Vietnam, India, and Lao PDR, together with strategic investments in Indonesia and other markets. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera