ACEN integrating battery storage in solar farm

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala-led ACEN Corp. is seeking key environmental clearance to build a P15-billion battery energy storage system (BESS) within its existing solar farm in San Marcelino, Zambales.

The 2,000-megawatt-hour BESS facility will be integrated into the 586.7-MW-peak San Marcelino Solar Power Project, ACEN unit SanMar Solar Inc. said in a filing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

To construct and operate the BESS facility, the company is pursuing the amendment of the approved environmental compliance certificate issued to the San Marcelino plant.

“The BESS is intended to support and optimize the operation of the existing solar facility by enhancing energy storage and grid support capabilities,” SanMar Solar said.

It also clarified that the proposed BESS would not affect the approved solar farm capacity or land area, as it is planned to be installed within the existing project site.

SanMar Solar is currently in the feasibility, permitting and detailed engineering phase for the planned BESS facility.

Based on the company’s timeline, construction and installation of the BESS and its support facilities are slated to begin in the third quarter of this year, with completion targeted by the end of 2027.

The BESS facility is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2028.

Meanwhile, the first two phases of the solar plant are already operational, with construction of the next phase currently underway.

Phase 3, which began construction last October, is scheduled to start commercial operations by the third quarter of 2027.

Formerly Sta. Cruz Solar Energy Inc., SanMar Solar is a special-purpose vehicle under ACEN, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group.

The company is engaged in the development, storage and sale of electricity from renewable power sources.