Acen, Citicore start work on vital 72-MW solar farm in Pampanga

Power generation capacity in Luzon is expected to be further beefed up early next year as the Ayala and Citicore groups on Thursday broke ground for the construction of their 50-50 joint venture, the P2.7-billion, 72-megawatt Arayat-Mexico solar farm in Pampanga.

Expected to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2022, the project is being developed by AC Energy Corp. (Acen) and Citicore Power Inc.

The two firms tout the Arayat-Mexico facility as a “critical contribution” to the Luzon grid, “where the energy industry is working double time to ensure a steady power supply.”

For Acen, the project kicked off just two days after they announced that their 120-MW GigaSol Alaminos solar farm in Laguna has started operations and delivery of supply to the grid.

“One of AC Energy’s success is our team’s ability to work with different partners and we are delighted to jointly develop this solar project with Citicore,” Acen president and CEO Eric Francia said at the ceremonial groundbreaking rites.

“Together, we will help augment the much needed grid capacity during the very tight electricity supply situation as our economy recovers from the effects of the pandemic,” Francia said.

Renewable energy shift

Citicore, for its part, reaffirmed their commitment to help accelerate the shift to renewable energy to meet growing demand for electricity.

So far, Citicore has a portfolio of 163 MW of rated capacity with eight existing solar power plants. These plants are located in Bataan, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cebu, Negros Occidental and South Cotabato.

“We are grateful to play a significant role in this sustainable infrastructure project, especially with respect to boosting local employment,” Citicore president Oliver Tan said.

“The Arayat-Mexico solar farm is another project [for which] we will work closely with AC Energy to jointly create a sustainable investment for the communities we serve and all our partner stakeholders,” Tan said.

The project is also expected to create more than 1,500 jobs for locals as well as community initiatives. INQ