MTerra Solar set to exceed target build
SOLAR SURGE. Meralco PowerGen is racing ahead of schedule, with its MTerra Solar project already generating 778 MW, poised to become the largest solar farm in the Philippines and powering up millions with clean energy by 2027.
Photograph courtesy of MTerra Solar
Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) is set to exceed its 1,500-megawatt (MW) renewable energy target by 2027, or three years ahead of its original 2030 timeline, driven by the rapid development of the MTerra Solar project in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan.
MGen said Tuesday its affiliate, Terra Solar Philippines Inc., has already installed 778 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on site, surpassing the project’s 750 MW target at this stage. As such, MTerra Solar is now well-positioned to become the largest solar PV installation of its kind in the country.
“MTerra Solar stands as a clear example of how we can shape the country’s energy future through strong partnerships and a shared vision. With 778 MW of solar PV capacity now installed, we are making real progress toward delivering cleaner and more sustainable power for Filipinos.
This milestone reflects the hard work of our teams on the ground, the support of our government partners, and the trust of the communities we serve,” said Dennis B. Jordan, president and CEO of MTerra Solar and MGen Renewable Energy.
As of the end of June, overall progress for Phase 1 stands at 54 percent. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by early 2026, followed by Phase 2 in 2027. The facility also includes a 500-kilovolt transmission line that will connect to the Nagsaag-San Jose transmission line.
The project, which spans 3,500 hectares across Gapan, Peñaranda, General Tinio, San Leonardo in Nueva Ecija, and San Miguel in Bulacan, is expected to deliver 3,500 MW of solar capacity, paired with 4,500 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage, once completed.
It will provide clean energy to about 2.4 million households and cut up to 4.3 million tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing over 3 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the road.
MGen builds the solar and battery facility in partnership with engineering, procurement, and construction contractors Energy China, POWERCHINA, and MIESCOR.
Huawei, on the other hand, supplies the battery energy storage system, while Maxipro Development Corp., Fujian Electric Power and Engineering Co. Ltd., and Asia Pacific Rim International Construction and Trading Corp. contribute to grid integration and switchgear work.