PBBM INAUGURATES WORLD’S LARGEST SOLAR FARM, PUSHES EXPANSION OF CLEAN ENERGY

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday inaugurated Phase I of the Meralco Terra (MTerra) Solar Project, touted as the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility, as part of the administration’s efforts to expand renewable energy and strengthen the country’s power supply.

The inauguration came less than two years after President Marcos led the groundbreaking of the project located in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.

In his speech during the inauguration, President Marcos said the project reflects the government’s commitment to turning its energy plans into concrete results as the country seeks to diversify its power sources and reduce its vulnerability to fluctuations in global fuel prices.

“Today, as we gather once again for the inauguration of Phase I, we demonstrate our will and determination to ensure that our plans are coming into fruition,” the President said.

“This achievement comes at a time when the need to boost our energy sector has never been more apparent,” President Marcos added.

Phase I of the project has reached around 91 percent completion and is expected to become fully commercially operational by August 2026. Phase II began early this year and is targeted for completion by 2027.

Once both phases are completed, the facility will be capable of delivering up to 3,500 megawatts peak of solar power to the grid, supported by 4,500 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage.

“These capabilities will help strengthen the stability of our power system while expanding the role of clean energy in our power generation mix. Equally, importantly, its impact will be felt in the daily lives of our people,” President Marcos said.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to provide electricity to more than 2.4 million Filipino households and reduce carbon emissions by around 4.3 million metric tons annually.

The project is also projected to generate nearly P23 billion in financial benefits over the next decade, while providing additional tax revenues and financial assistance to host communities.

“As operations expand, we look forward to even greater opportunities for our people: more jobs, stronger local government revenues, and sustained programs that promote community development,” President Marcos said.

The Chief Executive stressed that the MTerra Solar Project forms part of the administration’s broader effort to transform the country’s energy sector into one that is more resilient, competitive, and capable of meeting the demands of a growing economy.

President Marcos also cited the administration’s efforts to encourage more investments in renewable energy.

From July 2022 to May 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded 605 renewable energy contracts. Earlier this year, the agency also launched the 10-Year Green Energy Auction Program, which seeks to deliver 25 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity from 2027 to 2035.

The administration has also expanded the country’s installed energy storage capacity from 93 megawatts in July 2022 to 845 megawatts as of May 2026. These systems help improve power supply reliability and support the integration of more renewable energy into the grid.

At the same time, the government is modernizing the country’s transmission network through the Smart and Green Grid Plan to accommodate additional renewable energy capacity and meet the evolving requirements of the power sector.

President Marcos then recognized the contributions of the private sector, host communities, and other stakeholders to the project, saying the MTerra Solar Project demonstrates the country’s capability to deliver world-class infrastructure.

“Indeed, the MTerra Solar Project is proof that the Philippines is capable not only of envisioning world-class infrastructure, but also of delivering it,” President Marcos said.

“Nawa’y magsilbing paalala ang proyektong ito na ang pag-unlad ay bunga ng pagtutulungan, pagkakaisa, at pagsisikap para sa kapakanan ng nakararami,” he added.

On a lighter note, President Marcos also took the opportunity to greet Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP), who led the MTerra Solar Project through Meralco PowerGen (MGEN), on his 80th birthday.

“You have officially made it into the Expanded Centenarians Act, which now I am happy to announce you will receive P 10,000 from the government. ,” the President quipped.

“It is a simple but I hope meaningful token of appreciation for the invaluable contributions to our nation that you have made throughout the years,” he said.

Joining the President during the event were First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, and several local government officials.