Sapang Balen Solar Sustainable Energy Corp. (SBSSEC) is seeking approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to develop dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities to connect its 463.995-megawatt Sapang Balen 2 Solar power plant in Mabalacat, Pampanga to the Luzon grid.
The company targets to commence commercial operations by December 2026.
“Thus, in order to test, commission, and dispatch from its Power Plant, SBSSEC shall develop, own, and construct the dedicated facility project,” SBSSEC said in a filing with the ERC.
“Consequently, a provisional authority is urgently needed to enable SBSEEC to an achieve the target commercial operations date of the power plant by 2026,” it said.
The dedicated facility project would connect the solar plant to the Luzon grid via the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ proposed Magalang 230 kV substation from SBSSEC’s proposed 230-kV switchyard or Sapang Balen 230 kV collector station.
The facility, which will take about eight months to be completed, is estimated to cost P816 million to construct.
SBSSEC said it would exclusively pay for the construction and development of the dedicated facility and thus would not have any impact on regulated charges.
The power plant is covered by the Solar Energy Operating Contract No. 2022-01-608 issued by the Department of Energy (DOE).
