After its 345-MW San Roque Hydroelectric Multipurpose Power Project in San Manuel, Pangasinan, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is looking to develop 10,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) capacity in 10 years.
According to SMC President and COO Ramon Ang, the company is looking at hydropower, wind, battery storage, and ocean tidal technologies to add to its RE portfolio.
“SMC is going to invest heavily on renewable energy,” he said. “We predict to invest up to 10,000 MW in the next 10 years.”
While the company’s plans are still being drafted, Ang confirmed that their direction will be clear toward the development of cleaner technology.
“For hydropower, anywhere with opportunities, we’re interested,” Ang said. “We’re looking at maybe 1,000 MW at least per project.”
Power unit subsidiary Strategic Power Development Corp. secured the independent power producer administrator (IPPA) for the San Roque Power Plant in December 2009.
SMC is seeking areas in Luzon for wind technology.
“We have a report of very good wind profile where a very big capacity may be installed and the land for that project is already owned by SMC,” Ang said, declining to give further information on the specific location.
The company is also looking to expand existing and build new battery energy storage facilities.
“In Masinloc, we’re going to increase the capacity because the idea is to put up as many as possible. Battery storage can be installed in all our plants,” Ang said
For $1.9 billion, SMC recently got the Masinloc coal-fired thermal plant, as well as Masinloc Battery in Zambales. The company also acquired the Kabankalan Battery Storage System in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.
A 1, 200-MW ocean tidal project is also in the company’s plan. Based on the firm’s studies, the said project could produce about 18,000-MW of renewable energy out of ocean tidal waves in the Philippines.
