SNAP pursues pilot battery storage project in Isabela

MANILA, Philippines — SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP), the joint venture of SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corp., is moving ahead with its pilot battery energy storage system (BESS) in Isabela.

SNAP is working on an energy storage system with a 20-megawatt (MW) capacity and 20-MWh energy storage in Ramon, Isabela, SNAP president and CEO Joseph Yu said in an e-mail.

He said the BESS project would be used primarily for ancillary services.

So far, the company has completed pre-construction phase and is now proceeding with construction.

“Site survey works have been completed as part of the pre-construction and in preparation for the engineering design and permitting for the construction phase,” Yu said.

The SNAP BESS project is targeted to commence commercial operations in 2023.

BESS is a type of energy storage system that can store energy electrochemically. It can be connected to the grid, small grid, distribution system or end-user facility to deliver the energy demand when needed.

SNAP’s BESS is one of the 12 projects  parent AboitizPower is targeting to develop in the next 10 years with a total capacity of 248 MW.  It will serve as AboitizPower’s model for its future battery investments, as well as hybrid renewable energy projects.

Last week, AboitizPower commenced the installation of its first BESS project in its Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) facility with a capacity of 49 MW in Maco, Davao de Oro.

“Our foray into battery technology is a key component of our 10-year growth strategy, which ultimately aims to address the energy trilemma of energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability,” AboitizPower president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said.

SNAP’s BESS project will be in the 380-MW Magat hydropower plant. Located on the border of Isabela and Ifugao, the firm acquired the hydropower asset from the government in 2007.

Magat was the first privatization deal successfully concluded with significant foreign participation under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

Only the power components of Magat were privatized; the dam and its re-regulating facilities downstream are owned and maintained by the National Irrigation Administration.

SNAP is also working on scaling up its floating solar portfolio in the same area after its pilot project proved to be viable both technically and commercially.

To recall, SNAP switched on its first 200-kilowatt (kw) floating solar project over Magat Dam, its first non-hydro RE project, in June 2019. The 200-kw facility provides internal power to SNAP-Magat’s facilities.

Apart from Magat, SNAP also owns and operates the 8.5-MW Maris hydro in Isabela, the 105-MW Ambuklao hydro in Benguet and the 140-MW Binga hydro also in Benguet.