Photo (l-r): Engr. Cesar Villegas (SIPC VP for Operations), Atty. Handel Lagunay (Prov’l Legal Officer), Cong. John Geesnell Yap II, James Roy Villareal (SIPC President), and two (2) SIPC Investors). (Contributed photo)
By Leizel C. Butawan
SPC Island Power Corporation broke ground on a 30-megawatt, 60-megawatt-hour battery energy storage facility in Barangay Dampas, Tagbilaran City, carving a major expansion of grid stability services in the Visayas region.
The Bohol Battery Energy Storage Power Plant will be constructed inside the Bohol Diesel Power Plant complex.
The facility is designed to stabilize the power grid, support renewable energy sources and provide ancillary services to the Visayas grid.
Once operational, the plant will supply energy during peak demand while maintaining system stability.
The facility will respond to grid fluctuations to reduce power interruptions, brownouts and voltage or frequency variations, improving power quality for hospitals, schools and community centers.
SIPC has partnered with Beijing HyperStrong Technology Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese battery energy storage system integrator, and China Communication Services Philippines Corporation for the project.
HyperStrong, working with Shenzhen Hopewind Electric Corporation, will provide power conversion systems and medium-voltage systems.
The technology includes liquid-cooled 5-megawatt-hour HyperBlock series units with an AI-powered Battery Management System.
The project is expected to create jobs and investment opportunities in the renewable energy and energy storage sectors.
SIPC has operated the Bohol Diesel Power Plant for more than 47 years.
Attending the groundbreaking were 1st District Bohol Rep. John Geesnell Yap II, SIPC President James Roy Villareal, SIPC Vice President for Operations Cesar Villegas, Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay and SIPC investors.