‘No need for big power plants’

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said that the Philippines no longer needs large-scale energy projects such as the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant as his administration eyes the creation of more power storage facilities to address the problems of energy supply in the country.

Marcos made the statement as he promised to improve the policy and regulatory framework for the renewable energy industry, especially for the Energy Storage System (ESS) technology, to encourage further development of the industry.

In his speech during the inauguration of Global Power’s Battery Energy Storage System facilities of the San Miguel Corp. in Bataan on Friday, the President said since a nuclear power plant cannot really be turned off and on very easily, “we have to find a way to store the energy.”

“Unfortunately, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was never in operation, but you can see the advancements that we have now.

That was a very — shall we say involved kind of energy storage system because it was at a very large scale,” Marcos said.

“However, that now we no longer need to construct all of those facilities, we no longer need to put in that kind of infrastructure. All we need now are these battery farms that we are seeing today,” he added

Marcos said that the government “highly encourages and approves” projects like the BESS, especially amid the problems of energy supply in the country.

He said that “this is now the solution to the problem” as it applies to all kinds of power that we are able to use.

“As I said, the BESS or the Battery Energy Storage System, certainly will form a very important part of that formula that will solve these problems that I had just gone through,” Marcos said.

“Because it is novel, it is innovative, it is full of promise, this Battery Energy Storage System. This technology is carving a distinct path towards a more energysecure and sustainable future for the country. It is clean, it is zeroemission, zero-water extraction, no noise pollution,” he added.

With this technology in place, the President said that “storage of power is made possible.”

“Power could be stored when not needed or in times of oversupply and released whenever required when there is undersupply,” Marcos said.

“And that is why it is extremely encouraging for those of us who are always trying to find ways to one, increase the supply of power; secondly, decrease the cost of power; and thirdly, improve the mix of traditional sources of power and renewable sources of people,” Marcos said.

Marcos labeled the battery system as the “wave of the future” that is already existing.

He said it holds many of the keys to survival and self-sufficiency in the country.

“Given the increasing generation of renewable energy, it is vital that we advance and incorporate energy storage systems in our overall energy infrastructure. Indeed, it promises great rewards for our country. Not only will we be able to generate sufficient, reliable and clean energy, leading to more affordability of energy and generate jobs for our people, green jobs in the process,” he said.

“In my SONA, I stressed the importance of increasing the use of renewable energy. It is why I am glad that we are making strides in this area. But as much as we desire to rely on renewable energy, we know that electricity generated from sources such as solar, wind, water are sometimes considered intermittent. They cannot function continuously and perfectly because of inherent factors and other circumstances beyond our control such as the wind blowing or the sun shining,” he said.

“Let us consider ourselves fortunate that we are here at the birth of this project at this late stage, as it goes online in the Grid and begins to serve the Filipino people,” he added.

“We will improve the policy and regulatory framework for the renewable energy industry, especially for the ESS technology, to encourage the further development of our fledgling renewables industry,” he said.

“The Department of Energy is currently working on an improved and expanded version of our ESS policy,” the President added.

Marcos said his administration is also aiming to increase the share of renewables in our total generation mix, and encourage those investments that will add to the renewable supply in our country.

“With this mutually beneficial working relationship in the field of energy, we all function effectively towards attainment of our ambition of strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure lives for our citizenry, as well as a healthy and vibrant business continuity for both the government and the private sector,” Marcos said.

“So together, we will spur further advancements and reforms in our country. Soon, not only will the Philippines have attained energy security, but it will also gain the recognition and the respect of the world as an advocate of clean energy and other green and resource-efficient practices,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos lauded the San Miguel Corp. for the innovation and pledged support in undertaking projects that would benefit the country and its people.

“San Miguel Corporation, at 130 years old, certainly shows no sign of aging or of laying low. Quite the contrary, they are as ever leaders in the various industries, the various sectors in which they are involved... And I think your San Miguel CEO Ramon Ang deserves a round of applause for all of these innovations that he has introduced in the country,” Marcos said.

“So we will continue to be a partner with you — the Government and the Filipino people. As the immortal line goes:

he added.