ACEN seeks expansion of Zambales solar park

ACEN Corp., the Ayala Group’s energy platform has earmarked a P26-billion outlay for the expansion of its solar park in Zambales.

Based on documents filed at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau, the clean energy project would be led by Giga Ace 8 Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ACEN that is involved in solar plant development and operation.

The group sought the agency’s approval to raise the project’s power generation capacity from a potential maximum of 346 megawatts (MWp) to 420 MWp.

Also, the company plans to equip the solar park with a battery energy storage system (BESS), given the renewables’ intermittency in producing electricity. The BESS is expected to be rated with a capacity of 347 megawatts (MW).

“During [sunlight] hours, the plant’s output will primarily come from solar generation. Any excess solar generation will be stored in the BESS, while any energy deficit during this period will be supplied by the BESS. As solar generation diminishes, the battery will start to discharge into the grid until it is fully depleted,” the firm said to explain the rationale behind the added investment for a BESS.

To support these planned increases in capacity, Giga Ace 8 likewise asked the DENR for additional land area, from 275 hectares to 369.83 hectares, covering the barangays of Bulawen and Salaza in Palauig, Zambales.

The company said establishing such a large solar development can further support the Luzon grid in addressing the growing need for electricity.

For the proposed expanded project, Giga Ace 8 said it was still at the stage of feasibility, permitting and licensing, and detailed engineering.

If the additional capacity gets approved, the group intends to start ground works by the first quarter of 2026 and complete the project by the latter part of 2030.

Meanwhile, construction works are ongoing for the existing approved solar project, with commercial operations slated for the second quarter of 2026. —Lisbet K. Esmael INQ