As Energy Development Corporation (EDC) approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are emerging as a strategic priority in optimizing geothermal output and ensuring energy reliability.

The company is accelerating efforts to bring its BESS projects in Leyte, Negros, and Bac-Man online as part of a broader push to enhance capacity, flexibility, and grid stability across its geothermal fleet, EDC President and Chief Operating Officer Jerome H. Cainglet said in the company’s 2024 Integrated Report.

EDC previously announced plans to develop BESS with a combined capacity of 40 megawatts, aimed at storing excess energy and dispatching it during peak demand or grid instability. Industry analysts see this as a logical complement to the company’s geothermal base load, positioning EDC as a key player in next-generation energy solutions.

EDC, in its report, said it is also  moving to expand its geothermal portfolio with 19 new wells, reinforcing its leadership in renewable energy while exploring advanced technologies like battery storage to boost operational efficiency.

The new wells will be drilled across EDC’s geothermal project sites in Leyte, Bicol, and Negros Island, in a move that aligns with the company’s clean energy agenda and its upcoming 50th anniversary in 2026. The expansion is part of EDC’s long-term strategy to provide more round-the-clock, zero-carbon power to the Philippine grid.

“We want to ensure that we are ready to provide more of our reliable source of 24/7 clean power to the grid as the country accelerates its decarbonization mission,” Cainglet said.

The drilling program is part of a broader five-year, P60-billion investment initiative by EDC, which seeks to increase its renewable capacity and integrate modern energy technologies. While details on the operational linkage between the new wells and BESS remain undisclosed, observers view the dual development tracks as strategically aligned.

With the Philippines working to increase its renewable energy share and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, EDC’s twin focus on geothermal expansion and energy storage places it at the forefront of a low-carbon transition.

Follow Power Philippines on Facebook and LinkedIn or join our Viber community for more updates.