MTerra Solar Phase 1 fully online by August

The group of tycoon Manuel Pangilinan edges closer to activating its P200-billion mega solar project, with a portion of the first phase ready to supply electricity to the grid this February.

With top officials from the Department of Energy, Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) said on Saturday that it had completed the initial grid synchronization and energization of the MTerra Solar project. It would have 3,500 megawatts (MW) of solar panels and 4,000 MW-hours of battery storage.

This came after the deployment of crucial transmission assets that would link the massive solar park to the power grid.

The energization was also done swiftly, just 15 months after the groundbreaking.

MGen, the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co., said Phase 1 was “progressing on schedule.”

The project had 1,288 megawatts of direct current of installed solar photovoltaic capacity as of January. This makes it the most extensive solar installation in the country yet.

Already, 622 units of battery energy storage systems (BESS) have been deployed.

The group said 250 megawatts of alternating current of solar capacity and 112.5 megawatt hours of BESS will be ready by the end of the month. For its initial injection into the grid, MGen said 85 MW of constant power will be available.

Phase 1 will begin exporting its full capacity by August, MGen said when asked. However, it could not provide the breakdown of capacities for both Phase 1 and 2.

“MTerra Solar proves the Philippines can build big—and build fast. Today’s energization is not the finish line; it is the start of a bigger journey that will expand our capacity, broaden our impact and demonstrate that the Philippines can lead in delivering renewable energy at scale,” said MGen president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio.

The firm has also begun working on Phase 2. MGen previously said it was eyeing to make it operational by 2027.

According to Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, the power plant would cater to 10 percent of Luzon’s power needs once fully operational.

The project is also backed by UK-based investment firm Actis, which holds a 40-percent stake in the facility.

“No matter where I go in the world, everyone wants to talk about the MTerra Solar project—whether it’s in Brazil, India or Japan. The whole energy industry globally is watching this project,” said Actis Managing Director Barry Lynch.—LISBET K. ESMAEL INQ