By Juzel L. Danganan
MANILA, Nov 4 (PNA) – AES Philippines said Wednesday it has started the construction of a 10-megawatt (MW) energy storage facility in Masinloc, Zambales.
The facility, which is expected to lower power generation costs, will be built next to AES’s 600-MW Masinloc coal-fired power plant.
The company said in a statement that gave a notice to proceed to its contractor for the storage project.
The facility is targeted to be completed by the middle of 2016.
AES Energy Storage President John Zahurancik added, “We are excited to bring the benefits of energy storage to the Philippines. The new Masinloc facility will lower costs, reduce system-wide emissions and strengthen the electric grid for the Filipino people.”
Aside from the Masinloc project, AES is also developing energy storage systems in Negros Occidental, which would harness the excess solar capacity in the area by 2016.
AES Philippines managing director Neeraj Bhat said the storage would benefit consumers through providing reserve capacity.
Bhat added AES had given the grid-operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) an offer to provide frequency regulation services for its Negros project.
He said the company looked forward to an ancillary services agreement with the grid operator. (PNA)