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Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co., has enlisted two Chinese companies to kick off the first phase of its 49-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Toledo, Cebu.
The facility will store excess electricity and release it when demand rises, helping stabilize supply and improve grid efficiency.
MGen president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio confirmed that the firm has partnered with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) and SUMEC Complete Equipment and Engineering Co. Ltd. to handle the construction.
“Our signing marks another important step in our efforts to strengthen the country’s energy system,” he said. “With CATL and SUMEC as our partners, the Toledo BESS project will take shape with the benefit of proven expertise and world-class technology.”
(Also read: Cebu to Host MGen’s New 49-MW BESS)
Project highlights
CATL has been tapped to supply the battery technology, while SUMEC will oversee implementation, taking charge of construction and delivery to keep the venture on schedule and aligned with quality standards.
Rubio noted that the initiative is envisioned to strengthen power stability across the Visayas grid, providing additional support to meet growing energy demand.
Work on the project is set to break ground, with an initial 25 MW slated for rollout by the second quarter of 2026. The remaining capacity is projected to be completed the following year, marking the full operation of the facility.
Rubio explained that once operational, the facility is expected to ease costs in the country’s reserve market by supplying more efficient ancillary services (AS). AS refers to the backup power and grid support needed to maintain a reliable electricity supply and system stability.
(Also read: NGCP’s Transmission Hikes: Are They Justified?)
About MGEN
MGen is targeting a total generation portfolio of 3,000 MW, with a third of that capacity coming from renewable sources. The company is actively pursuing new clean energy ventures nationwide as part of its broader push to establish a stronger presence in the country’s renewable energy sector.
As of the end of August, MGen’s portfolio included over 5,000 MW of net sellable capacity spanning the Philippines and Singapore. The company has set its sights on nearly doubling this figure to 10,346 MW by 2030 as part of its long-term growth strategy.
Sources:
https://business.inquirer.net/547864/2-chinese-firms-to-build-mgens-toledo-bess