MGEN Launches Phase 1 Of MTerra Solar In The Philippines
Key Takeaways
- MGEN has commissioned Phase I of its MTerra Solar Project, bringing online over 1.4 GW of solar PV with 825 MW/3,300 MWh of battery storage at a single site
- The project will initially export up to 750 MW to the Luzon grid while additional grid works will continue
- MGEN says the project also includes community investments and agrivoltaics research alongside renewable energy development
- Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) and its partners have inaugurated Phase I of the MTerra Solar project in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, with 1.373 GW of solar PV and 825 MW/3,300 MWh of battery storage capacity.
Once fully developed in later phases, the project will include 3.5 GW of solar PV capacity and 4,500 MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity. MGEN says it will make the facility one of the world's largest integrated solar and battery storage projects at a single location.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the project demonstrates the country's ability to deliver renewable energy infrastructure at scale.
While the facility can currently export up to 750 MW to the Luzon grid, additional grid-related works are underway before its full capacity can be utilized. All 741 battery units on site have also been energized. Following the completion of grid testing, the project is ready to begin supplying electricity under its 600 MW mid-merit power supply agreement (PSA) with local electricity distributor Meralco.
MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio said the project is intended to support both the country's energy transition and long-term electricity reliability.
Actis Managing Director and Head of Energy Infrastructure, Lucy Heintz, said the project would help increase domestic power generation, reduce dependence on imported fuels, and strengthen energy security, while improving visibility into future electricity costs.
The project is expected to support the Philippines' renewable energy targets of 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040 by adding large-scale renewable capacity with integrated battery storage.
Beyond electricity generation, MGEN said it is currently supporting agrivoltaics research with Central Luzon State University to study crop cultivation around and beneath solar panels.