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Brix Lelis - The Philippine Star
February 22, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz-backed SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) has started the construction of the second phase of its Magat battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Isabela.
Located alongside SNAP’s Magat hydroelectric power plant, the 16-megawatt (MW) BESS facility is scheduled for completion by next year.
The company said Magat BESS Phase 2 would be integrated into the existing 24-MW Magat BESS, which started commercial operations in January 2024, to operate as a single system.
“Magat BESS Phase 2 is part of the second wave of BESS projects that SNAP will pursue this year, with additional BESS capacities set to be constructed in the coming months,” it said.
SNAP, a joint venture between Aboitiz Power Corp. and Oslo-listed Scatec, also wants to start the development of the 40-MW Binga BESS in Benguet this year as it aims to achieve a BESS capacity of 80 MW by 2026.
“These initiatives reflect our commitment to providing innovative and sustainable energy solutions,” SNAP president and CEO Joseph Yu said.
“With the additional 56 MW of BESS projects across our plants and the launch of our integrated remote operations center, we are not only increasing the energy supply but also enhancing energy security and grid stability, in line with our long-term sustainability goals,” Yu said.
To fund these projects, SNAP has signed a credit facility with Bank of the Philippine Islands, China Banking Corp. and BDO Unibank Inc., although the loan amount has yet to be disclosed.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla lauded SNAP for its commitment to advancing clean energy technologies in line with the government’s energy transition push.
“We are not just building infrastructure; we are laying the foundation for a more sustainable and energy-secure future. The impact of this initiative extends beyond the present — it is a legacy that will benefit generations of Filipinos,” Lotilla was quoted as saying in a video message.
Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the Marcos administration wants to scale up the share of renewables in the energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 from the current 22 percent.
