Ayala-led ACEN has energized its 40-megawatt (MW) hybrid solar and energy storage project in Alaminos, Laguna – the first of its kind in the country. 

The Alaminos Energy Storage project, which hosts two 20MW storage facilities, is connected to ACEN’s nearby 120MW solar farm. The facility holds 24 battery containers with SAFT 2.5 megawatt-hour lithium-ion batteries, enough to power about 20,000 homes and avoid emissions equivalent to 35.87 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

The storage facility is expected to help manage internal electricity demands and store power when demand is low, and provide rapid power charging during high demand. ACEN added that the project would provide ancillary services or reserve power to the grid.

“We are taking advantage of battery storage technology’s fast response, scalability, and ease of integration into our renewable projects,” ACEN Chief Development Officer Jose Maria Zabaleta said in a statement. 

“With the Alaminos Energy Storage project, we can harness renewable energy more effectively amidst its variability while improving the operating capabilities of the grid and ensuring high reliability,” he added. 

The facility is notable for its sustainability hub, as it’s surrounded by Ayala Land’s Carbon Forest – a reserve that serves as a carbon trap and home to biodiversity. 

“We are delighted to start the operations of ACEN’s very first battery energy storage project. We will be looking to increase our investments in storage as the technology increases its viability and competitiveness,” said ACEN President and CEO Eric Francia.

During Power Podcast’s maiden episode in November last year, Francia emphasized the importance of energy storage projects as part of the company’s and the country’s energy transition. 

ACEN aims to build a 5,000MW all-renewables portfolio by 2025. Of that target, the company aims to develop 3,000MW within the first half of this year.