Mayor Bernard S. Waclin, Vice Mayor Dante Allain Xavier D. Godio, and Councilor Norberto Pacio, along with the Tinongdan Indigenous People Organization, joined SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Binga Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Binga Hydro-Electric Powerplant in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet, on March 24, 2025
The Binga BESS facility, marking the first battery storage project in the Cordillera with a capacity of 40 megawatts (MW), will be co-located with the 140MW Binga hydropower plant.
SNAP President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Yu expressed pride in the project, emphasizing its role in advancing the country’s energy transition and boosting the resilience of the national power grid.
Jason Soberano, SNAP’s Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer elaborated on the company’s evolving energy portfolio. “We are hydroelectric operators, but we’ve been moving out of our comfort zone. We started developing solar plants, and now we are developing battery energy storage systems. We are in growth mode. This is SNAP unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and creating a more resilient power grid. BESS is like a very large rechargeable battery,” Soberano explained.
BESS facility, which stores excess energy generated during peak production times, is becoming increasingly essential as the Philippines integrates more intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind. With BESS in place, the facility can supply energy during times of high demand or when renewable production is low, such as when clouds obscure solar panels or during the summer when wind speeds are low.
Andy Ana, Executive Vice President of SCATEC, which collaborates with SNAP on the BESS project, highlighted the importance of the new technology. “The Binga BESS will add capacity to the national grid, improving the delivery of critical ancillary services. This will enhance grid stability and support the integration of renewable energy into the national power system,” Ana said.
SNAP’s Chief Operations Officer, Mike Hosillos, spoke to the broader impact of the project on local communities and the environment. “We deeply value the trust and support of this community, and we pledge to operate responsibly, sustainably, and transparently,” Hosillos said. “BESS is not just about building a facility—it’s about building a better future for the community and the environment.”
On March 22, a traditional ritual was held to signal the start of construction, honoring the entities living or present in the area. The ritual aimed to seek permission and protection for the project and to inform the community about the upcoming work.
The groundbreaking ceremony was graced by ASEC Mario Marasigan from the Department of Energy (DOE), who lauded the project’s potential to enhance the country’s energy infrastructure.
Dignitaries in attendance included H.E. Christian Halaas Lyster, Ambassador of Norway to the Philippines, and David Cabuteng, representative of Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas.
Mayor Waclin commended SNAP for staying true to their commitment to sustainable development. He further pledged the collaboration of the local government of Itogon.
The Binga BESS project is expected to not only contribute to the national grid but also to create local employment opportunities and support the region’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
