ACEN Pushes for Separate Battery Storage Auction

Ayala-led ACEN Corp. is advocating for a competitive bidding for standalone battery storage projects as the Philippines gears up for the entry of more renewable power capacity into the grid.

- By Brix Lelis

ACEN president and CEO Eric Francia said the government should consider holding an auction for battery storage capacity to support the development of variable renewable sources, particularly solar energy.

Many grid-connected projects, said Francia, are not generating a full output due to constraints in the country's electrical superhighway.

In the case of solar projects, power is generated only when the sun is shining, resulting in overproduction during the day and capacity shortfall at night.

Francia said a government policy on standalone battery storage could be a game-changer, noting that the technology has the potential to mitigate grid constraints and production imbalances.