NGCP plans battery storage under Project Airbag to ease grid strain ahead of El Niño

NGCP is moving forward with Project Airbag, a plan to install battery energy storage systems on the transmission side of the power grid. The company says the plan is meant to add flexibility during tight supply conditions and prepare for possible generation shortfalls linked to the El Niño expected in 2027, according to Edge Davao.

The batteries would store electricity when supply is available and release it when the grid is under strain. NGCP said this would give it another quick-response tool for short-duration shortages and system disturbances. One example is storing daytime solar output for use during evening peaks or when hydroelectric output drops.

The initiative comes as the Visayas continues to face tight supply, made worse by several generators going offline at the same time. NGCP said the rollout will not be limited to the Visayas. It is also looking at the wider Philippine grid, particularly areas where hydropower output depends on rainfall and reservoir levels, which could fall during El Niño.

The company was careful to limit expectations. "Batteries do not create electricity and cannot substitute for sufficient dependable generation over prolonged periods," NGCP said. It added that new generation capacity remains the fundamental long-term need, but storage can be deployed faster to reduce immediate vulnerability while new plants are built. NGCP said the aim is to strengthen the grid before conditions worsen rather than react after shortages occur.

Beyond the current situation, NGCP described battery storage as part of a longer-term grid resilience strategy, subject to regulatory processes. It said the batteries could help the transmission system absorb power from a wider range of sources. These include large power plants, rooftop solar, net-metered facilities and other distributed resources.

The company said this could allow households, businesses, distribution utilities, communities and agricultural users to take part in the energy supply system over time. It added that greater use of domestic and renewable energy could reduce the country's exposure to volatile imported fuel prices.