AboitizPower starts 30-MW hybrid battery storage project in Cebu

Aboitiz Power Corp., through subsidiary East Asia Utilities Corp. (EAUC), has begun construction of a 30-megawatt hybrid Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) inside the Mactan Economic Zone in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The project broke ground on Thursday, July 17, and is scheduled for commissioning by the first half of 2026. It is expected to enhance energy reliability in the Visayas grid and support the region’s continued economic expansion.

The BESS will rise within the compound of EAUC, a subsidiary of Therma Power Inc. under AboitizPower, which operates a 50-MW bunker oil-fired plant inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone I in Lapu-Lapu City.

The 30-MW hybrid Battery Energy Storage System will be built inside the compound of EAUC's facility at the Mactan Economic Zone in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu. /Contributed  photo 

Pioneering large-scale storage system in Central Visayas

Considered one of the first large-scale energy storage systems in Central Visayas, the hybrid BESS will provide ancillary services by storing surplus electricity and releasing it to the grid when needed to help stabilize power supply.

The system is called hybrid because it pairs battery storage with an additional power source or technology to enhance performance and reliability—similar to how a hybrid car uses both a gasoline engine and a battery-powered electric motor to operate more efficiently.

A step toward a flexible power system

EAUC currently generates power using liquid fuel or fuel oil. With the addition of the BESS, it will incorporate an advanced storage technology that can supply electricity to the grid when needed.

“This (hybrid BESS) project will allow us to respond to imbalances in real-time, helping the grid absorb fluctuations and minimize disruptions,” said Aldo Ramos, AboitizPower transition business group COO for operated assets.

EAUC has consistently provided critical ancillary reserves to the Luzon and Visayas grid, Ramos noted. “The integration of BESS with our existing facility will materially enhance this capability, enabling faster and more efficient responses,” he added.

PEZA-approved, aligned with grid priorities

The hybrid BESS was among the projects approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) in January 2025.

The project comes as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) underscores the importance of ancillary services, calling them critical to the Philippines’ energy transition—especially as the grid incorporates more variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

Power security and investment

“Investors heavily consider the reliability of power supply, and so we work to efficiently facilitate these innovative energy initiatives to support residing businesses and encourage more investments in the Mactan Economic Zone,” said PEZA Director General Tereso Panga.

He added that EAUC’s hybrid BESS would play a key role in stabilizing the power supply for economic zones.

Technical highlights

Designed for high availability, the hybrid BESS can continue operating even during maintenance cycles, ensuring consistent support to the power grid.

Hybrid battery facilities also offer rapid ramp-up and response times, enabling them to address grid imbalances within seconds.

With fewer moving parts and no reliance on fuel, these systems have significantly lower operations and maintenance requirements than conventional thermal power plants.

Energy landscape context

In the Visayas, coal-fired power plants such as AboitizPower’s Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) still contributes to the region’s generation mix, helping maintain grid stability as renewable integration increases.

According to the Department of Energy, the share of variable renewable energy like solar and wind could rise to as much as 28 percent by 2031. In this context, energy storage systems like BESS will be essential for managing fluctuations and ensuring reliable delivery of power.

About EAUC

AboitizPower acquired full ownership of EAUC in 2017, after a decade of partial ownership. Established on Feb. 18, 1993, as a subsidiary of El Paso Philippines Energy Co. Inc. (EPPECI), EAUC has since become a key part of AboitizPower’s diversified energy portfolio, strengthening regional energy stability. —Connie Fernandez-Brojan

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