NSEC opens 68-MW solar power project in Ilocos Norte

Nuevo Solar Energy Corp.’s 68-megawatt Garcia 2 Solar Project in Currimao, Ilocos Norte spans 100 hectares. Construction took 12 months before the plant finally began commercial operations on March 30. -CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte  -Renewable energy firm Nuevo Solar Energy Corp. (NSEC) on Thursday formally began commercial operations of its 68-megawatt (MW) solar power project in Ilocos Norte as it seeks to further build its portfolio in the country.

NSEC is a joint venture between Manila Electric Co. subsidiary MGen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen) and Singapore-based Vena Energy.

“The Garcia 2 Solar Project marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts toward a sustainable future, as well as Vena Energy’s renewable energy portfolio in the Philippines,” said Samrinder Nehria, head of Vena Energy Philippines.

Construction of the P3-billion Garcia 2 Solar Project began in March 2022. It started commissioning and selling to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in January this year, according to MGreen president and CEO Jaime Azurin.

The plant spans 100 hectares of land in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, and is adjacent to Vena’s existing 16-MW Garcia 1 solar project.

According to Nehria, Vena plans to expand its clean energy capacity in the country by 300 to 500 MW annually for the next three to five years.

“[Between] what is actually available and what can be executed, there’s a gap there. Together with partners like MGreen, we can execute that. It’s all about how much demand there is in the market,” Nehria told reporters.

Demand in the Luzon grid is expected to peak at 13,125 MW this year, an 8.35-percent increase from last year’s 12,113 MW.

Vena currently has five wind and solar plants in operation in the Philippines totaling 248 MW.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the company’s portfolio exceeds 40 gigawatts, with solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects in operation.

The second Garcia solar project forms part of MGreen’s larger initiative to build 1,500 MW of renewable energy projects in the next five years.

As of this year, Azurin said the company has over 200 MW of capacity, including the 55-MW BulacanSol plant in San Miguel, Bulacan province and the 75-MW solar project in Baras, Rizal province.

MGreen and Vena entered into an agreement in February last year to form NSEC. INQ

Meralco unit, partner begin 68-MW solar power project in Ilocos Norte