THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved Northern Sun Power Inc.’s proposed P1.11-billion transmission facilities to connect its solar and battery storage project in Ilocos Norte to the national grid.
In a decision dated Oct. 14 and released Saturday, the ERC authorized Northern Sun to develop and own the facilities for its 244-megawatt Currimao solar project, which includes a 337-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system.
The project, located in the municipalities of Currimao and Paoay, will connect to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ (NGCP) 230-kilovolt Pinili substation.
Northern Sun Power is a unit of Aboitiz Renewables Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower).
The transmission facilities will include two substations rated at 140 and 145 megavolt-amperes, associated protection and communications equipment, voltage support devices, and an 11-kilometer, 230-kilovolt double-circuit transmission line.
The ERC said the estimated cost rose to P1.11 billion from P762.7 million due to additional purchases by Northern Sun.
An ERC site inspection confirmed that construction had yet to begin and that Northern Sun had followed the required approval process.
The regulator reminded generation companies and other grid users to secure authorization before developing or building transmission facilities.
Prior approval ensures coordinated planning and protects grid security and reliability, the ERC said. It also prevents the proliferation of unauthorized facilities that could compromise the system.
On Friday, AboitizPower shares fell by 50 centavos to P45.50 apiece.
