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SNAP to expand the floating solar energy portfolio
Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star) – December 7, 2020 – 12:00 am
MANILA, Philippines – SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP), the joint venture of SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corp., is looking to expand its floating solar power portfolio after its pilot project proved viable.
The company said the floating solar project on the Magat Dam has proven its viability, both technical and commercial.
“The pilot project and initial pre-feasibility study conducted by SNAP on floating solar power have shown positive results,” said SNAP President and CEO Joseph Yu.
SNAP powered up its first 200 kilowatt (kw) floating solar project above the Magat Dam, its first non-hydro renewable energy project, in June 2019.
Due to the success of the pilot project, the SNAP board approved the project to proceed with engineering design for 67 megawatts (MW).
“We are now conducting a feasibility study to validate the initial results and confirm the viability of a commercial-scale project, which may have a capacity of 67 MW or more, to also be placed in the Magat reservoir,” Yu said.
He said the FS phase is expected to last between 10 and 12 months.
“We do not yet have firm figures on costs that we can reveal at this stage,” Yu said.
SNAP owns and operates the 380 MW Magat hydroelectric plant on the Isabela and Ifugao border after it acquired the power asset from the government in 2007.
Magat was the first successful privatization agreement with significant foreign participation under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
Only Magat’s power components were privatized, the dam and its downstream re-regulation facilities are owned and maintained by the National Irrigation Administration.
Last year, SNAP invested more than $ 400,000 or almost P24 million, for the floating solar pilot project located in an area of 2,500 square meters above the Magat reservoir. It partnered with Ocean Sun, a Norwegian floating solar technology provider, to install the facility.
The floating solar installation is made up of 720 solar panels in a circular installation, the design of which is inspired by the Amazon water lily, supported by four mooring systems.
The 200 KW facility provides internal power to SNAP-Magat facilities.
SNAP had performed stress tests on the pilot project to ensure that the facility can withstand massive flows and strong typhoons.
The success of the floating solar project would encourage the company to expand the facility so that the energy generated can contribute to its renewable energy capacity and the country’s energy security.
In addition to Magat, SNAP is also looking at other locations for its floating solar expansion.
The company also owns and operates the 8.5 MW Maris hydroelectric plant in Isabela, the 105 MW Ambuklao hydroelectric plant in Benguet and the 140 MW Binga hydroelectric plant also in Benguet.
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