Aboitiz cleared to run 137-MW solar project

Aboitiz Renewables Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corp., is set to start commercial operations of its 137.4-megawatt (MW) Calatrava Solar Power Plant in Negros Occidental after securing final grid connection approval from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

The company said Thursday the Final Certificate of Approval to Connect confirms that the Calatrava facility meets NGCP’s technical and operational requirements, making it the largest operating solar and variable renewable energy (VRE) plant in the Visayas.

Located in San Isidro, Calatrava, the plant is expected to boost energy supply in the region and support national goals for wider VRE integration.

“Aboitiz Renewables is able to complete great projects like the Calatrava SPP with the strong collaboration from NGCP. We appreciate NGCP for working closely with us to bring this project online, and helping us progress our humble mission to deliver affordable, reliable, clean energy to customers,” Aboitiz Renewables President Jimmy Villaroman said.

“This milestone adds significant capacity to the grid, helps electricity suppliers meet their Renewable Portfolio Standards obligations, and is another step forward for the country as far as our nationwide energy transition objectives are concerned,” he added.

The company is also preparing to energize two more solar projects in Luzon.

According to AboitizPower, the Olongapo Solar Power Plant is 95 percent complete and set for testing and commissioning by the third quarter of the year.

Construction of the San Manuel Solar Power Plant in Pangasinan, on the other hand, is ongoing and targets the same commissioning window.

These new facilities will connect to NGCP’s Castillejos 230 kV and San Manuel 69 kV substations, respectively.