Aboitiz Power Corporation announced that its subsidiary has broken ground on a hybrid battery energy storage system (BESS) project integrated into its oil-fired power facility in Agusan del Norte.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 22, AboitizPower's unit, Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI), said it commenced development work on the 48-megawatt (MW) Nasipit Hybrid BESS project for the TMI Mobile 2 oil plant, situated in Lawis, Sta. Ana, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
According to AboitizPower, construction is slated to begin in the second quarter of this year, with online operations expected by next year.
While the project costs remain undisclosed, Ronaldo Ramos, chief operating officer of AboitizPower's transition business group, expressed confidence that this battery facility would enhance power grid stability.
"Once completed, the Nasipit BESS project will help enable more grid stability and support the growing share of renewable energy in our grid. It’s a smart solution for a smarter energy landscape," he stated.
BESS technology utilizes batteries to store excess energy, which can be released when needed to augment supply or further improve power quality within the system.
AboitizPower pioneered the BESS model in 2022 with the hybrid BESS of TMI's Mobile 1 oil power plant, located in Maco, Davao de Oro.
"These oil-fired power plants, coupled with the BESS technology, play a crucial role in providing fast, responsive power to help balance supply and demand in the grid as an ancillary service. Ancillary services or backup power are support functions that ensure a reliable and stable power system," the company explained.
"In step with the country’s ambitions for its energy mix, AboitizPower aims to grow its portfolio of generation assets with renewables and selected baseload builds," the firm added.
Beyond TMI, other AboitizPower units have made significant progress in BESS developments in early 2025.
In February, SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) finalized loan agreements with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), China Banking Corp. (Chinabank), and Banco de Oro Unibank, Inc. (BDO) for the BESS phase 2 of the Magat hydroelectric power plant in Isabela, as well as the 40 MW Binga BESS in Benguet.