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AboitizPower inaugurates 92-MWp Pangasinan solar plant, expanding renewable portfolio

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MW Mosqueda
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Aboitiz Renewables
Photo by Andres Siimon on Unsplash.

AboitizPower Corp.‘s renewable energy unit inaugurated its 92-megawatt-peak (MWp) San Manuel Solar Power Plant in Pangasinan, expanding its solar portfolio as the Philippines steps up efforts to increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix.

Located in Barangay San Roque, San Manuel, the facility is the third solar power plant operated by Aboitiz Renewables Inc. in Pangasinan, following its existing projects in Bugallon and Aguilar. The company said the province’s strong solar resources and available grid infrastructure made it an ideal location for further investment.

“Pangasinan’s strong solar potential and available grid connections have made it an ideal location for this project, and we are proud to expand our presence in a province that continues to play an important role in the country’s renewable energy future,” AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Aboitiz said during the inauguration.

The 102-hectare solar farm is designed to generate around 146 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, enough to supply approximately 75,000 households with clean energy, according to Aboitiz Renewables Chief Development and Execution Officer Sean Chen.

The facility is equipped with more than 150,000 solar panels and is connected to the national grid through a 69-kilovolt substation and a 7.4-kilometer double-circuit transmission line linked directly to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ San Manuel substation.

Chen said the project site was carefully selected to utilize land with limited agricultural use, allowing the company to pursue renewable energy development while minimizing the impact on local farming communities.

Construction of the solar project began in September 2024 and generated employment for about 1,190 workers, many of them from nearby communities.

Daniel Aboitiz said investments in renewable energy projects such as the San Manuel solar plant are essential to strengthening the country’s long-term energy security.

“Power generation investments like the San Manuel Solar Power Plant diversify our energy mix and support the Philippines’ long-term goals of energy security and energy autonomy,” he said.

Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who attended the inauguration, said Pangasinan has emerged as one of the country’s leading hubs for solar energy development.

She said renewable energy currently accounts for about 25% of the Philippines’ power generation mix as the government works toward increasing the share to 30% by 2030.

“Pangasinan has been very supportive of the energy transition as mandated by the President. A lot of people will be helped by your province, especially in energy,” Garin said.

The San Manuel project forms part of AboitizPower’s broader push to expand its renewable energy portfolio as demand for cleaner electricity continues to grow. The company has been increasing investments in solar, hydro, geothermal and other renewable technologies to support the country’s energy transition and improve long-term energy security.

The inauguration also reinforces Pangasinan’s position as one of the Philippines’ key locations for utility-scale solar development, with several large-scale projects already operating or under development in the province.

World Bank approves $1.02 billion financing for Philippines’ clean energy transition

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MW Mosqueda
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The World Bank has approved a $1.02 billion financing package to help the Philippines accelerate its renewable energy transition, expand domestic power generation and reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, the multilateral lender said.

The package comprises a $1 billion loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and a $20 million performance-based grant from the Livable Planet Fund.

The World Bank said it is among the largest IBRD operations approved in support of the Philippines’ development agenda.

The financing, under the Second Energy Transition and Climate Resilience Development Policy Loan, will support a series of policy reforms aimed at lowering electricity costs, improving energy security and attracting private investment into the country’s clean energy sector.

Among the key measures backed by the program are the full operationalization of the Renewable Energy Market, the integration of electric vehicle charging infrastructure into utility planning, and the launch of the Philippines’ first offshore wind auction, which targets contracting 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity by 2030.

The World Bank said the reforms are expected to mobilize about $7 billion in private investment while expanding the country’s domestic renewable energy capacity and creating new jobs.

“The Philippines has everything it needs to power itself at lower cost—wind along its coasts, sunlight year-round, and geothermal energy beneath its soil,” World Bank Division Director for the Philippines Zafer Mustafaoglu said in a statement.

“This operation helps turn those natural advantages into reliable, affordable electricity for Filipino families and businesses. At a time when global energy markets are deeply volatile, this development policy loan helps the Philippines take control of its own energy future, support growth, and create jobs,” he said.

The lender said persistently high and volatile electricity prices continue to weigh on Philippine households, businesses and economic competitiveness.

By reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and accelerating investment in locally available renewable energy resources, the reforms are expected to shield the country from global fuel price swings and improve long-term energy affordability.

The Philippines aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its installed power generation capacity to 42% by 2027 from around 30% currently, as part of its strategy to diversify the energy mix and strengthen energy security.

Beyond energy, the financing package also supports reforms in the country’s fragmented water sector, where more than 1,600 local government units are responsible for water service delivery but often face financial and institutional constraints.

The program will back the implementation of cost-recovery tariff frameworks, a unified financing system prioritizing poor and climate-vulnerable communities, and bulk water pricing regulations.

These reforms aim to increase the number of local water service providers operating under sustainable business plans from 10 to 100 by 2027, improving water security nationwide.

The World Bank said the combined energy and water reforms are intended to strengthen the Philippines’ climate resilience while encouraging greater private sector participation in infrastructure development.

A Brown unit secures DOE authority for Bukidnon solar project

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MW Mosqueda
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A Brown Company
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash.

A Brown Company Inc. has secured the Department of Energy’s approval to begin pre-development work for a proposed solar power project in Bukidnon, marking another step in the listed firm’s push to expand its renewable energy portfolio.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, A Brown said its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Manolo Fortich Power Corp. (MFPC), received notice on June 26 that the DOE had issued Certificate of Authority (COA) No. SCOA2026-06-202 for the Manolo Fortich Solar Power Project. The certificate took effect on June 25.

The COA grants MFPC the exclusive authority to undertake pre-development activities for the proposed project, including securing permits and clearances from government agencies, local government units and other entities with jurisdiction over the site.

It also authorizes the company to conduct reconnaissance, feasibility studies and other assessments needed before the project can proceed to the next stage of development.

The proposed solar project will cover 202.38 hectares in the municipality of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon.

Under DOE rules, a Certificate of Authority is an early milestone in the solar project development process. It enables developers to assess the technical, environmental and commercial viability of a project before applying for a Solar Energy Operating Contract (SEOC), which authorizes the development and operation of a solar energy facility.

A Brown said the certificate will remain valid for one year from its issuance. During this period, MFPC will complete the studies and regulatory requirements necessary to transition the project into an SEOC with the DOE.

MFPC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of A Brown through ABC Energy Inc., the company’s renewable energy arm.

The company said the Manolo Fortich Solar Power Project forms part of its broader renewable energy development strategy as it expands its presence in the country’s clean energy sector.

The disclosure did not provide details on the project’s planned generating capacity, estimated investment cost, construction timeline or target commercial operation date.

The project adds to a growing pipeline of solar developments being pursued across the Philippines as developers seek to capitalize on rising electricity demand and the government’s push to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s power generation mix.

Repower forms subsidiary to pursue hydropower projects

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MW Mosqueda
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Repower
Photo by Diwei Zhu on Unsplash.

Repower Energy Development Corp. (REDC) has approved the incorporation of a wholly owned subsidiary that will pursue hydropower projects, expanding the company’s renewable energy portfolio.

In a disclosure, REDC said its board approved the incorporation of Iba Hydropower Corp. and authorized the subscription to 12.5 million shares at a par value of P1 per share, representing an initial investment of P12.5 million.

The company said Iba Hydropower Corp. will be wholly owned by REDC and will engage in the operation of hydropower projects in line with the parent’s existing renewable energy business.

The subscription will be paid in cash and held in trust by the treasurer-in-trust pending approval of the subsidiary’s registration by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The transaction is subject to the SEC’s approval of Iba Hydropower Corp.’s incorporation.

REDC did not disclose details of any specific hydropower project that the new subsidiary will undertake, including its planned capacity, location or development timeline.

Sen. Gatchalian urges DOE to streamline rooftop solar permits

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MW Mosqueda
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DOE Rooftop Solar
Photo by Sergio Martins on Unsplash.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to simplify permit requirements for rooftop solar installations, saying excessive red tape is slowing the wider adoption of renewable energy in the Philippines.

Gatchalian said streamlining the approval process would encourage more households, businesses and public institutions to install rooftop solar systems, helping lower electricity bills, reduce demand on the power grid during periods of peak consumption and lessen the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

“The problem with solar rooftops is red tape. DOE should reduce the number of steps and requirements that those who want to install solar panels must go through,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

He called on the DOE, local government units and distribution utilities to standardize documentary requirements, shorten processing times and eliminate unnecessary procedures for permits and grid interconnection approvals.

Gatchalian said cumbersome approval processes continue to discourage consumers from investing in rooftop solar despite government efforts to accelerate renewable energy deployment.

He cited Pakistan’s rapid rooftop solar expansion as evidence that consumer adoption can accelerate when governments remove regulatory barriers.

“Pakistan has shown that when consumers are given a practical and affordable way to reduce electricity costs and lessen their dependence on an unreliable power grid, rooftop solar can expand rapidly,” Gatchalian said.

“The Philippines can draw lessons from this experience by making rooftop solar more accessible to households, businesses and public institutions,” he added.

The call comes as the DOE expands initiatives to promote distributed renewable energy, including its Solar Solutions for Government programme, which now covers 15 Metro Manila local government units seeking to deploy solar power and energy efficiency measures in public buildings.

Industry stakeholders have long said inconsistent permitting requirements among local governments and lengthy grid interconnection approvals remain among the biggest obstacles to wider rooftop solar adoption, despite incentives available under the country’s net-metering programme.

The Philippines is targeting renewable energy to account for 35% of its power generation mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040 as it seeks to strengthen energy security, diversify electricity sources and reduce reliance on imported fuels.

Under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and the government’s net-metering programme, consumers with eligible rooftop solar systems can export excess electricity to the distribution grid in exchange for credits that help offset their electricity bills.

ERC receives 17 battery storage project applications as Visayas, Mindanao strengthen power grids

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MW Mosqueda
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The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has received 17 applications for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects across the Visayas and Mindanao as developers seek to improve grid reliability and support the integration of more renewable energy into the power system.

ERC Executive Director Nancy Aurora Q. Fajardo said the applications reflect growing demand for system flexibility as electricity consumption rises and renewable energy generation continues to expand outside Luzon.

“Today’s challenge is no longer simply supply adequacy, but system flexibility,” Fajardo said during Schneider Electric Philippines’ Innovation Day 2026 forum in Cebu.

Recent yellow and red alerts in the Visayas have underscored vulnerabilities in the power system despite generally adequate generation capacity, highlighting the need for additional reserve capacity, ancillary services, transmission upgrades and battery storage, she said.

Battery energy storage systems store excess electricity generated by renewable energy facilities and release it during periods of peak demand or supply disruptions, helping stabilize grid operations.

Electricity demand is rising across the Visayas and Mindanao as industrial parks, manufacturing facilities, data centers, logistics hubs and cold-storage operations expand, increasing the need for a more resilient and flexible power system.

The ERC is supporting the deployment of battery storage alongside renewable energy projects following a Department of Energy directive requiring new variable renewable energy projects with capacities of at least 10 megawatts to install battery storage equivalent to 20% of their installed capacity.

The commission is also revising the Philippine Grid Code to accommodate inverter-based technologies, including solar, wind and battery energy storage systems, which are increasingly relied upon for frequency regulation, voltage support and other grid services.

Fajardo said storage investments are becoming more critical as transmission constraints continue to limit the efficient delivery of electricity.

“Even sufficient generation may not be fully delivered or utilized because the grid may not yet have the capacity to carry it,” she said.

To address the issue, the ERC has approved additional revenues for the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to finance grid modernization projects and transmission upgrades.

The regulator has also allowed private entities other than NGCP to finance and construct selected transmission facilities, a move intended to accelerate critical infrastructure projects and reduce delays.

As more renewable energy projects come online in the Visayas and Mindanao, the need for battery storage is expected to grow.

Earlier this year, Filinvest Development Corp. inaugurated its first utility-scale solar power plant in Misamis Oriental, a 20.74-megawatt facility expected to generate about 30.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

“These investments show how renewable energy can strengthen energy security, support sustainability and enhance regional competitiveness,” Fajardo said. “More importantly, they signal growing investor confidence in Mindanao’s future as a destination for industry and innovation.”

She said battery storage, transmission expansion and microgrid development will be critical to maintaining grid reliability as the Visayas and Mindanao attract more renewable energy and industrial investments in the coming years.

PEZA approves P97bn in renewable energy projects

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MW Mosqueda
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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has approved more than P97 billion worth of solar manufacturing and renewable energy-related projects as it steps up efforts to attract green investments and cut electricity costs in economic zones through embedded power systems.

Speaking at PhilEnergy 2026 on Wednesday, PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said the agency has approved 21 renewable energy-related projects with combined investments exceeding P97 billion. The projects are expected to generate more than 1,300 jobs.

“These milestones demonstrate that the Philippines—through our ecozones—has the right combination of policy support, investment incentives and strong public-private partnerships,” Panga said.

Panga said renewable energy remains one of the priority sectors eligible for fiscal incentives under the government’s Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), which he expects will continue to drive investments in clean energy projects.

He said incentives alone would not be enough to accelerate the country’s energy transition, stressing the need for wider deployment of renewable energy technologies.

As part of that effort, PEZA is working with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Upgrade Energy Philippines and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to develop embedded distributed power systems within economic zones.

The systems generate electricity within or near ecozones, reducing dependence on the national transmission grid and helping locators secure more competitive electricity rates.

Panga said the initiative aims to bring Philippine economic zones closer in energy cost competitiveness to other investment destinations in Southeast Asia.

Among the projects in the pipeline are 10-megawatt solar facilities in the Cavite and Baguio economic zones. PNOC is also collaborating with PEZA on renewable energy-powered industrial parks designed for energy-intensive industries.

Separately, PEZA is working with the International Finance Corp. to develop eco-industrial zones integrating renewable energy, embedded utilities and advanced water infrastructure.

It has also partnered with the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance to promote energy efficiency and conservation projects across ecozones.

To strengthen sustainability governance, PEZA is collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) frameworks into ecozone operations.

It is also working with Japan-based sustainability technology company Zeroboard to help ecozone locators measure, manage and disclose greenhouse gas emissions.

As of May, PEZA had approved P124.84 billion worth of investments across all sectors, led by manufacturing and information technology-business process management projects.

Panga said the expanded incentives under the Strategic Investment Priority Plan are expected to sustain strong growth in renewable energy investments in the country’s economic zones.

Alternergy secures P2.4bn investment from A Brown unit for two Philippine wind projects

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MW Mosqueda
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Renewable energy developer Alternergy Holdings Corp. has secured a P2.4 billion equity investment from ABC Energy Inc., the energy holding company of listed A Brown Co. Inc., to help finance two wind projects and free up capital for its expanding renewable energy pipeline.

Under the agreement, ABC Energy will acquire a 40% stake in Alternergy Tanay Wind Corp. and Alabat Wind Power Corp., the companies developing the Tanay and Alabat wind projects.

Alternergy, through Alternergy Wind Holdings Corp., will retain a 60% controlling stake in both project companies.

The investment forms part of Alternergy’s strategy of bringing in equity partners to completed or near-completed projects, allowing the company to recycle capital into new developments, including wind, solar, run-of-river hydropower and battery energy storage projects.

The companies have amended the transaction to complete the investment in two phases.

Alternergy said the first phase closed on June 24, with ABC Energy investing approximately P600 million through a combination of share subscription and share purchase.

The balance of the investment will be completed either on July 20 or within three business days after either the Tanay or Alabat wind project achieves commercial operations, at ABC Energy’s option.

Alternergy said it expects to retain majority ownership of both projects after the transaction is completed.

The deal underscores the growing use of strategic equity partnerships by Philippine renewable energy developers to finance capital-intensive projects while preserving financial capacity to pursue additional investments as the country accelerates its clean energy transition.

The transaction remains subject to regulatory review and approval, including clearance from the Philippine Competition Commission.

DOE expands rooftop solar program to 15 Metro Manila local governments

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MW Mosqueda
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LGU Rooftop Solar
Artist's rendetion

Fifteen Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) have joined the Department of Energy‘s (DOE) program to install rooftop solar systems and improve energy efficiency in public buildings, expanding a government initiative aimed at reducing electricity costs and accelerating clean energy adoption.

Six additional LGUs — Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Muntinlupa, Parañaque and the Municipality of Pateros — signed a memorandum of agreement with the DOE under its Solar Solutions for Government: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Public Buildings (SSG-ERPB) initiative.

They joined the cities of Mandaluyong, Manila, Navotas, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela, which became the first participants in November 2025.

Under the program, participating LGUs will pursue rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, energy-efficient retrofits and other electricity-saving measures in government buildings in line with Republic Act No. 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said reducing electricity consumption through energy efficiency and solar power would allow local governments to redirect savings toward essential public services.

“Every peso saved through energy efficiency and solar power is a peso that can be invested back into better public services,” Garin said in a statement.

She added that rooftop solar has become a practical tool for local governments to manage operating costs, strengthen the resilience of public facilities and prepare for rising electricity demand and climate-related challenges.

The initiative will also benefit from a recently issued Joint Memorandum Circular between the DOE, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Public Works and Highways, which standardizes documentary requirements and processing timelines for net-metering applications.

The DOE said the measure is expected to speed up rooftop solar installations in government facilities by simplifying the approval process.

The DOE will provide technical assistance to participating LGUs during the development and implementation of energy efficiency and solar projects under the program.

Government buildings are among the largest electricity consumers in the public sector, and wider adoption of rooftop solar and energy efficiency measures is expected to reduce operating costs while supporting the Philippines’ transition to cleaner energy sources.

The DOE said the initiative is expected to help local governments lower electricity expenses while encouraging broader adoption of renewable energy technologies in public infrastructure.

Vivant acquires 200-MW Northern Samar wind project from Envision

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MW Mosqueda
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(L-R) Liu Wei, Envision Energy Philippines Director; Yuan Rongke, Envision Energy Philippines President; Emil Andre M. Garcia, Vivant Energy President and Al Douglas Villaos, Vivant Energy SAVP for Business Development. (Standing) Duli Zhang, Envision Energy Philippines Business Development Manager and Lawrence Nubla, Vivant Energy Senior Vice President for Business Development.

Vivant Energy Corp. has acquired a 200-megawatt wind power project in Northern Samar from Envision Energy Philippines, expanding its renewable energy portfolio amid growing investment in the country’s clean energy sector.

The Cebu-based energy company said its renewable energy subsidiary, Vivant Renewable Energy Corp. (VREC), acquired a 100% stake in Samar Philippines Renewable Corp. (SPRC), the developer of the proposed wind farm covering the municipalities of Lavezares, Allen, Victoria and Rosario in Northern Samar.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The project is targeted for completion and grid connection by the end of 2028. Once operational, it is expected to generate about 695 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to supply more than 190,000 households, according to Vivant.

The company said the facility is projected to avoid around 487,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

“For an archipelagic country like the Philippines, energy security depends on a power mix that is both diverse and deliberate,” Vivant said. “In Northern Samar, Vivant Energy sees an opportunity to add greener capacity where it can support a more resilient energy portfolio and contribute to the country’s long-term energy stability.”

Thirty-six percent of the project’s capacity has secured an award under the Department of Energy’s fourth Green Energy Auction Program, while the remaining capacity is expected to be covered by an offtake agreement with a retail electricity supplier.

Envision, the project’s original developer, will continue to support its development through turbine technology, engineering services and other project development expertise as it moves toward construction and commercial operation.

The Philippines is targeting a 35% share of renewable energy in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040, driving investment in wind, solar and energy storage projects across the country.

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