Aboitiz Power Corporation has officially started construction of its Naga Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a major facility designed to strengthen power supply stability and meet rising energy demand across the Visayas region.
The project will set up a 60-megawatt standalone battery storage facility within the existing Naga Power Plant Complex in Barangay Colon, Naga City. Once operational, it will provide backup power and balance services to help the grid quickly adjust to shifts in electricity supply and usage. BESS works by storing extra power when available and releasing it when needed to keep energy delivery steady and consistent.
Department of Energy undersecretary Mario Marasigan praised the investment, noting it shows strong confidence in the country’s energy future and brings the right technology to build a more efficient, reliable power system alongside renewable energy growth.
This project marks a full shift for the site: originally built by state-run National Power Corporation in the 1980s, the complex was acquired by AboitizPower in 2018 under government privatization. Its old coal and diesel units have been retired and removed, making way for clean energy storage as part of the company’s move to diversify assets and support the national energy transition.
Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro said the project gives assurance that the province can keep growing without compromising power reliability, which is key to drawing more investments. AboitizPower transition business group president Celso C. Caballero III described the initiative as real transformation, adding that it will make the grid more flexible and resilient as more renewable energy sources come online.
The Naga BESS is part of AboitizPower’s plan to build a balanced energy mix aligned with the Philippine Energy Plan. It is scheduled to start commercial operations in 2027.
