SAN MARCELINO, Zambales — ACEN Corp., the renewable energy arm of Ayala Corporation, has announced plans to invest some P15.8 billion to develop a large battery energy storage system (BESS) at its San Mar Solar Plant in Barangay Santa Fe here.

According to project documents submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the firm plans to start building the BESS facility in the third quarter of 2026, after securing all requirements from government authorities.

ACEN targets project completion by the end of 2027, and expects facility commissioning and full operations by early 2028.

The BESS project, with a capacity of 2,000 megawatt-hours, aimed to significantly boost the reliability and stability of electricity generated at the 585-megawatt San Mar Solar Plant, reputedly the largest solar farm in the Philippines todate.

While San Marcelino solar park is rated to supply electricity to more than 120,000 households, its generation capacity fluctuates depending on sunlight availability.

ACEN sees the BESS project as a solution that can store excess electricity produced during peak sunlight hours, and then release the stored power to the electricity grid at night, or when solar generation decreases due to weather conditions.

The BESS project is part of ACEN’s broader expansion strategy in renewable energy, as the firm targets a total operational capacity of 5,000 megawatts by the end of this year.

ACEN President and CEO Eric Francia said the planned San Marcelino energy storage facility will play a vital role in the company’s long-term strategy. – Taktikom News & Features

COVER PHOTO: ACEN Corp.’s sprawling San Mar Solar Plant is expected to operate a large battery energy storage system by 2028 (Photo by Raffy Tima via San Marcelino PIO)