Advanced tech, systems drive progress in Prime Infra subsidiary’s solar power project

Workers of Prime Infra subsidiary Solar Tanauan Corp. fix solar panels in one of the sites of a solar power project designed to power more than 84,000 households a year. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—State-of-the-art design, tools strategies are driving significant progress in the completion of the solar power facilities of a Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc (Prime Infra) subsidiary in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite.

The project by Solar Tanauan Corp. in the towns of Maragondon (Cavite) and Tanauan (Batangas) broke ground last April and was designed to produce up to 140 megawatts of installed capacity and with total annual generation estimated to power at least 84,000 households and displace over 100,000 tons of coal per year.

Prime Infra, Solar Tanauan, government officials, companies and individuals involved in the project celebrated its progress in a ceremony last Sept. 19.

“We are proud to have the most advanced execution technology and strategy for a solar power project here in the Philippines,” said Guillaume Lucci, Prime Infra president and CEO, in a statement.

“This celebration is a testament of Prime Infra’s approach in deploying renewable energy projects and reaffirms our commitment to pioneer innovative solutions towards a clean energy future,” Lucci said.

The project uses digital twin technology, drones to monitor progress and a system to check for quality control 24 hours a day in the factory that is producing solar components and on site.

The procurement and construction processes were also streamlined through a system called Front End Engineering Design (FEED).

This allows suppliers to focus on their specialties and employs a software that simplifies earth work assessments.

“The reason we’ve reached this point is also because we work extremely collaboratively with government and with the communities,” said Lucci.

“That’s not simply us as a developer but applies to all our partners and suppliers. I think that has been really the key to the exceptional pace of our project,” added Lucci.

In attendance at the event were Cavite officials led by Gov. Jonvic Remulla, Batangas Rep. Ma. Theresa Collantes and these top Prime Infra officials—Chief Regulatory Officer Vince Dizon, CFO Sandy Alipio, Chief Project Officer for Solar and Wind Daniel Blanco.

These Solar Tanauan officials were also present—Director Donato Almeda and President-CEO Cheryll Len Mendoza. Melissa Cerezo, Department of Energy Renewable Energy Management Bureau director Melissa Cerezo was also in attendance.

“This endeavor is incredible,” said Remulla. “It is my hope that when we capture every little ray of sunshine in this village, we may illuminate the country to a better tomorrow,” he said.

Collantes said she welcomed the growing use of renewable energy in her province Batangas.

“Not only is this concrete shift to solar energy a practical solution today, but it is also an environmentally conscious choice,” said Collantes.

TSB