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SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP), the Aboitiz group's renewable energy (RE) provider, has begun construction of Benguet's first battery energy storage system (BESS) facility.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 25, SNAP announced the groundbreaking of the 40-megawatt (MW) Binga BESS project, located at the Binga hydroelectric power plant in Itogon, Benguet. This follows secured agreements with banks and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partners.
This project marked SNAP's third battery storage facility, after the 24 MW Magat BESS and the ongoing 16 MW Magat BESS phase 2, bringing the company's total storage capacity to 80 MW by next year.
Joseph Yu, SNAP president and chief executive officer, expressed gratitude for the financial agreements secured last month.
"We are proud to break ground on our first BESS in Benguet and the first BESS facility to reach financial close and start construction in the Cordillera Administrative Region. This project underscores our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the country’s energy transition," he said.
In February, SNAP finalized an EPC contract with China Energy Engineering Group, a subsidiary of GEDI China Energy, and secured funding from the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO).
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan and Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster.
"Renewable energy is weather-dependent; batteries are essential for grid balancing. Today’s event is important not only for SNAP but for the Philippines, enabling the country to achieve its goal of 30 percent renewable energy by 2030. Norway is committed to contributing to your green energy future," Lyster said.
