SN Aboitiz Power-Magat (SNAP-Magat) has started the pilot testing of its 200-kilowatt floating solar power, the first of its kind in the country, which the company hopes to expand to a commercial capacity after a 10-month testing period. SN Aboitiz Power is a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Aboitiz Group. which is one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines. It operates the Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant , one of the largest hydro facilities in Luzon.
This is the first non-hydro renewable Energy (RE) for SNAP, which is looking at other renewables and complementary technologies to expand its RE portfolio. Initially, this project will only be used to operate the Magat hydropower plant. After a 10-month stress test on the pilot project to ensure that the facility can withstand massive inflows and strong typhoons, the company will develop it to a bigger facility that can add up to the Luzon grid’s power needs.
If this is successful, SNAP will look into scaling up the project so that the power generated may contribute to its RE capacity and to the country’s Energy security. SNAP-Magat is located on the borders of Isabela and Ifugao provinces. It produces 360 to 388-megawatt from hydropower source. The floating solar power plant is in the reservoir of Magat.
The Department of Energy has said that the potential of floating solar will provide additional power to the country’s requirement. The country’s demand peaked at 11,000 MW, which is an indication of the need to produce more Energy for the developmental needs of the country.
(Source: Philippines News Agency)
