A total of 93 power plant projects with a total capacity of 37,170 megawatts (MW) are cleared to undergo system impact studies with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as of end-November, data from the Department of Energy (DOE) showed.
A system impact study must be conducted with NGCP to determine the effects of a proposed power project to customer connections in a grid and to discover if certain adjustments in the system are needed.
Based on DOE data, applications from natural-gas fired power plants comprised the biggest capacity at 12,678.9 MW, with the largest coming from San Miguel Electric Corp.’s planned 12×541 MW liquefied natural gas plant in Navotas.
Applications for wind projects followed at 10,935 MW. The current biggest proponent is Gigawind 5 Inc. for a 1,248 MW Manila Bay wind power project eyed to be developed offshore of Bataan, Cavite and Batangas.
Energy storage projects comprised the third biggest share in the applications at 4,982 MW.
Solar Philippines Commercial Rooftop Projects Inc. eyes a 3,000 MW hours battery energy storage system in Tiaong, Quezon.
Applications for other sources are 3,963.25 MW from indefinite technologies, 3.752.37 MW from solar, 393.15 MW from hydro, 300 MW from coal, 158.042 MW from oil-based and 8 MW from geothermal.
However, all projects undergoing system impact studies are not assured of pushing through due to several factors including funding, line availability and offtake agreements, among others.
As of last year, the total installed capacity of all power plants in the country hit 26,286 MW, with the bulk from coal-fired power projects at 10,944 MW equivalent to almost 42 percent.
