SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. (SNAP- BI) asked the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for an authority to develop a dedicated point- to-point limited transmission facility to connect its 40-megawatt Binga battery energy storage system in its Binga hydro power plant in Benguet province to the Luzon grid.
SNAP, a joint venture between Norwegian firm Scatec and Aboitiz Power Corp., operates the 140-MW Binga hydro power plant in Itogon.
The company said in its submission to the ERC the Binga BESS would be connected through the 69kV Binga Switchyard of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.
The interconnection project has an estimated cost of P182.159 million.
The ERC set the hearing for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation and pre-trial conference for the facility in February.
“The construction of the interconnection project is a prerequisite for the testing and commissioning, and ultimately, the commercial operations of the Binga BESS. A provisional authority is, thus, urgently needed to enable the Binga BESS to achieve its target commercial operations date of October 2026 and avoid adverse consequences to SNAP-BI,” it said.
SNAP-BI said the construction of the Binga BESS, together with the interconnection project, would help alleviate possible power shortages in the future.
“Not only will it add to the overall generating capacity of the Luzon Grid, but the Binga BESS will also have the unique ability to absorb and deliver both real and reactive power, making it an ideal candidate to provide AS, which will directly contribute to the Grid’s stability and reliability, ultimately reducing power outages,” it said.
SNAP-BI said the Binga BESS would be connected to the Luzon grid through 10 power conversion system (bi-directional inverter) transformers with rated output voltage of 13.8 kilovolt.
