MGEN undertakes forward-thinking, timely solar projects meant to increase renewable energy in the country
Written by Kenneth M. del Rosario
MGEN is undertaking a relevant and forward-thinking goal: To build 1,500 MW of renewable energy projects in the country within five to seven years. It’s a long road ahead and requires a lot of hard work, but one that is an important and timely step in transitioning to low-carbon energy to support a developing country like the Philippines.
The transition to a “just, orderly, and cost-competitive” greener energy for MGEN, the power generation arm of Manila Electric Company (Meralco), began with BulacanSol’s 55 MWac solar plant, which started operations in May 2021.
An additional 143 MWac is expected to go online in the first quarter of 2023. This includes two solar plants—the 75 MWac plant in Baras, Rizal; and the 68 MWac plant in Ilocos Norte
While fossil fuels remain essential in the global power mix in the near future, nations the world over has increasingly been investing in renewable energy as they are considered to be a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable source of power.
And while renewable energy requires a sizable amount of investment, the cost of power generation is lower in the long run. This makes investment in renewable energy a key effort in the country’s sustainable progress, especially in the post-COVID-19era.
More projects in the pipeline will use low-cost renewable energy technologies (onshore solar and onshore wind), even as the company is looking to tap new technologies like offshore wind and utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System. These aim to minimize the environmental impact of power generation while addressing the country’s growing energy demand.
The 68 MWac solar project in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, is a joint project of MGen Renewable Energy Inc. or MGreen (a wholly owned renewable energy unit of MGEN) and Vena Energy.
On the other hand, the 75 MWac solar project in Baras, Rizal, is being constructed by PH Renewables, Inc. or PHRI, a joint venture between Mgreen and Mitsui & Co. subsidiary Mit-Renewables Philippine Corp. (Mit-Renewables). They are also jointly developing a 45-MWac solar project in Cordon, Isabela.
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