By Bilyonaryo staff
Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) has energized the first 250 megawatts (MW) of its $3.5 billion Terra Solar project, a critical step for what is slated to become the world’s largest integrated solar-and-battery facility, as the country grapples with a national energy emergency.
MTerra Solar, an affiliate of the nation’s largest power distributor, activated the first tranche of a 4,500-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system (BESS).
“Reaching this milestone reflects the strong execution, collaboration, and dedication of our teams and partners. More importantly, it underscores the role of projects like MTerra Solar in helping secure the country’s energy future at a time when reliability and affordability are under increasing pressure,” said Dennis Jordan, president and CEO of MGen Renewables and MTerra Solar.
The facility, located across 3,500 hectares in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, has already begun delivering up to 450 megawatt-hours of energy to the grid at night—the largest operational battery dispatch in the country.
Originally authorized for 85 MW of test exports, MTerra Solar has successfully ramped up to 250 MW to stabilize a grid currently strained by surging cooling demand and shifting commercial operating hours.
“The project’s phased energization enables earlier delivery of capacity to the grid, helping ease supply constraints and supporting efforts to maintain stable electricity prices amid evolving global conditions,” MGen president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said in a statement.
The Philippines, a net petroleum importer, has seen fuel costs double since January, prompting Energy Secretary Sharon Garin to fast-track renewable infrastructure.
“Every megawatt of domestic capacity that we bring into the grid strengthens our ability to withstand external shocks, protect consumers, and preserve system reliability,” Garin said. “Amid the Middle East conflict, accelerating the development of renewable energy and storage is both a strategic necessity and a national imperative.”
At full build-out, expected by 2027, the facility will deploy approximately five million solar panels to generate 3,500 MWp—enough to power 2.4 million households and displace 4.3 million tons of carbon emissions annually.—Bilyonaryo.com
