Pumped storage projects are critical to the Philippines’ shift away from fossil fuels and to the growth of host communities, according to the Department of Energy – Renewable Energy Management Bureau (DOE-REMB).

“Bakit tayo nagkakaroon ng pumped storage? Ang Department of Energy, ang target papunta na tayo doon sa energy transition. Ibig sabihin noon, ‘yung dependency natin sa mga fossil fuels, sa coal or oil-based power plants ay unti-unti na nating papalitan ng mga renewable energy resources,” said Ariel Fronda, Officer-in-Charge of the Hydropower & Ocean Energy Management Division under DOE-REMB.

Fronda spoke during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on July 31 in Antipolo City to establish a Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) for the 600 MW Wawa Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Project.

Fronda emphasized that host local governments stand to gain long-term benefits from pumped hydro projects, noting consistent development in areas hosting power facilities.

“’Yung benepisyong matatanggap ninyo, malaki ang maitutulong sa inyo lalong lalo na sa pag-develop o progress ng inyong lugar o ng barangay… lahat ng napuntahan kong may power plants o energy projects, lahat iyan ay umasenso ang mga local government units,” he said.

These benefits will be partly delivered through Energy Regulations (ER) No. 1-94, which mandates power developers to set aside PHP 0.01 per kilowatt-hour of total electricity sales for host provinces, cities, or municipalities.

The project is spearheaded by Olympia Violago Water and Power Inc. (OVWPI), a subsidiary of Prime Infra, which Fronda commended for aligning with both national and local government energy goals.

“Ang nakakatuwa ay open kayo sa ganiyang development… kami naman sa national, Department of Energy, ‘yan kasi ang aming mandato na magkaroon tayo ng affordable, accessible source of energy,” he said, adding that OVWPI has been compliant with all regulatory requirements.

The Wawa pumped storage project will provide 6,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of daily energy storage capacity to the Luzon grid. The facility will store excess power during periods of oversupply—such as midday solar peaks—and dispatch it when supply drops, supporting continuous delivery of variable renewable energy.

The project will also supply ancillary services critical for maintaining grid stability. Operations are targeted to begin by 2030.

The newly formed MMT will act as a local, multi-stakeholder body tasked with ensuring environmental and social safeguards throughout the project’s development.

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