Aboitiz Power unit seeks to connect floating solar plant to grid
By Alena Mae S. Flores – January 13, 2025, 8:00 pm
from manilastandard.net
Northern Sun Radiance Inc. (NSRI), a unit of Aboitiz Power Corp., is seeking the Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval to build a dedicated power line to connect its 120.30-megawatt floating solar power project to the Luzon grid.
NSRI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. through Aboitiz Renewables Inc., proposed to connect the San Marcelino floating solar power project (FSPP) via a 10.5-kilometer, 230-kilovolt transmission line to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) 230 kV Castillejos Substation.
The company said the dedicated point-to-point limited connection facility is crucial for testing, commissioning, and dispatching the San Marcelino FSPP’s capacity. It will be exclusively used by NSRI.
“The connection of the dedicated facility project to the NGCP’s Castillejos Substation will allow the movement of power from the San Marcelino FSPP to the Luzon Grid. NSRI studied its options and found that such direct connection is the sole viable option to connect the San Marcelino FSPP to the Luzon Grid due to its proximity and economic feasibility,” NSRI said in a statement.
The estimated construction cost of the facility is P895.6 million.
“NSRI needs to immediately test, commission, and dispatch the San Marcelino FSPP upon its completion to avoid unnecessary delays that can lead to opportunity costs and contribute to the rising demand growth. Thus, it is necessary for NSRI’s San Marcelino FSPP to be connected to the grid, through the dedicated facility project, at the earliest possible opportunity,” the company said.
NGCP and NSRI are finalizing the terms of their connection agreement for the interconnection of the San Marcelino FSPP to the Luzon grid.
The Department of Energy has issued a certificate of endorsement in favor of NSRI stating that the San Marcelino FSPP is “consistent with the provisions of Section 9 of the Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.”
NSRI intends to operate and maintain the dedicated facility upon completion and the commercial operation of the San Marcelino FSPP.
