ACEN Corp.’s subsidiary Giga Ace 8 Inc. is putting up a 420-megawattpeak (MWp) solar farm in Barangays Bulawen and Salaza, Palauig, Zambales with 347-MWp battery energy storage system costing P26 billion.
Giga Ace 8, in documents submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, is seeking an expansion of its project area and capacity to 369.83 hectares from 275 hectares and 420 MWp from 346 MWp under the existing environmental compliance certificate that will supply power to the grid.
The project aims to achieve sustainable development and supply electricity to the Luzon Grid to address the expected lack of supply and increasing demand for power.
It said that aside from the employment opportunities that the project presents, the project intends to construct a means to harness clean and renewable energy for Luzon.
“A major limitation of solar power plants is the inability to supply power during nighttime. To address this concern, a BESS will be charged solely from solar energy and is optimally charged during solar hours. The integration of this BESS with the solar plant will have an output of up to 200 MW, which is planned to be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. or until the BESS is fully discharged,” Giga Ace 8 said.
The project will use lithium-ion battery energy storage systems which have better ageing and cycle life characteristics and are primarily used for energy time- shifting.
“During solar hours, the plant’s output will primarily come from solar generation. Any excess solar generation will be stored in the BESS, while any energy deficit during this period will be supplied by the BESS. As solar generation diminishes, the battery will start to discharge into the grid until it is fully depleted,” the company said.
Giga Ace 8 said it selected the 369.830-hectare Palauig project site because of its accessibility and potential solar irradiance.
The company is in the feasibility, permitting and licensing and detailed engineering phase for the proposed additional area.
Construction of the components under the existing ECC is ongoing and is scheduled to be finished by the first quarter of 2026, with commercial operations targeted in the second quarter of 2026.
The construction within the additional area is scheduled to be conducted from first quarter of 2026 until third quarter of 2030. Commercial operation shall be by fourth quarter of 2030.
The project is estimated to need about 2,000 workers during construction phase and 55 during operation.
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