Aboitiz Power Corp. subsidiary Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) on Tuesday projected greater stability of power across the Mindanao grid with the ceremonial switch-on of the 49-megawatt hybrid battery energy storage system (BESS) on a floating platform in Maco, Davao de Oro.
The facility, touted as the first of its kind project in Southeast Asia, will complement TMI’s diesel facilities providing ancillary services that secure the uninterrupted provision of quality electricity in the system.
A BESS uses a set of batteries to store electrical energy from the grid and releases it when needed to augment supply or improve electricity in the system.
Aboitiz Power said the facility has been commercially available since November 30, 2022 and opened opportunities that support the influx of more variable renewable energy sources into the grid.
The technology is crucial since as more renewable energy capacities are added to the grid, the BESS can complement the technologies and can partially offset intermittencies when solar or wind power plants are unable to generate electricity.
“The power barge the TMI currently operates has been in Maco, Davao de Oro since 1994. It was installed as part of the solution to address the then power crisis in Mindanao. Thirty years later, who would’ve thought that we’d still find ourselves in the same mission of supporting our beloved Mindanao, this time with an innovative twist and a different need to address – the reserve requirements of the grid,” said Ronaldo Ramos, Aboitiz Power Thermal chief operating officer, in a statement.
Aboitiz Power eyes building 3,700 MW of new renewable energy. The goal is to generate a total 4,600 MW of clean energy in its portfolio by 2030.
The company is also exploring possible investments in low-carbon technologies such as liquified natural gas, nuclear and smart power plants to support the country’s energy transition while maintaining energy security.
BESS capacity in off-grid areas is unchanged at 1.040 MW as at end-2023.
