Renewable energy provider SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) broke ground on the second phase of its Magat Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility co-located at the Magat hydroelectric power plant in Ramon, Isabela on February 20, 2025.
The 16-megawatt (MW) Magat BESS Phase 2 will be integrated with the existing 24-MW Magat BESS 1, which began commercial operations in January 2024. Once completed, the combined 40-MW facility will operate as a single system, providing ancillary services such as regulating reserve and contingency reserve to improve grid efficiency and reliability. Magat BESS Phase 2 is part of the second wave of BESS projects that SNAP will pursue this year, with additional BESS capacities set to be constructed in the coming months.
“New technology and new technological solutions are paramount to the energy transition, aligning with our common ambition for renewable energy and green growth,” Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster said in his keynote speech. “Norway has years of expertise in renewable energy and we are committed to being part of the solution on a national, regional, and global level towards a green energy transition.”
In a video message, Department of Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said, “Our deepest appreciation to SN Aboitiz Power for your vision in advancing clean energy technologies. Today we are not just building infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for a more sustainable and energy-secure future. The impact of this initiative extends beyond the present — it is a legacy that will benefit generations of Filipinos.”
Earlier this week, SNAP also signed engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreements with GEDI China Energy, a subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Group, for the development of the 40-MW Binga BESS facility at the Binga hydroelectric power plant in Itogon, Benguet. Together, the Magat BESS Phase 2 and the Binga BESS represent key milestones in SNAP’s ongoing efforts to expand its energy storage capacity.
In addition to breaking ground on the Magat BESS Phase 2, SNAP unveiled its Integrated Remote Operations Center (iROC) at the same event. Located at the Magat hydropower complex, the iROC improves efficiency by providing real-time, centralized monitoring and control of SNAP’s five facilities in Isabela and Benguet. Designed to optimize plant operations, improve response times, and ensure seamless coordination across assets, the iROC marks a significant step in SNAP’s digital transformation efforts.
“These initiatives reflect our commitment to providing innovative and sustainable energy solutions,” said Joseph Yu, President and CEO of SNAP. “With the additional 56 MW of BESS projects across our plants and the launch of our integrated remote operations center, we are not only increasing the energy supply but also enhancing energy security and grid stability, in line with our long-term sustainability goals.”
Construction for SNAP’s BESS projects is set to begin in the first half of 2025, with commercial operations targeted for the first half of 2026. The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and China Banking Corporation will finance the Magat BESS Phase 2, while BPI and BDO Unibank will provide financing for the 40-MW Binga BESS.
