Philippines Breaks Ground on World’s Largest Solar and Battery Project

The Philippines has commenced construction on the 3.5 GW Terra Solar Project, the largest integrated solar and battery storage facility in the world. The $4 billion initiative, located in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, aims to meet growing energy demands while reducing carbon emissions.

Project Details

Image from Solar Philippines

The Terra Solar Project is a collaboration between Terra Solar Philippines, Inc. (TSPI), Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), and SP New Energy Corporation (SPNEC). The facility will feature 3.5 GW of solar capacity and a 4.5 GWh battery energy storage system, spanning 35 square kilometers. The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract was awarded to China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd. (Energy China), which has extensive experience in large-scale energy projects.

The project is expected to generate 5 TWh of electricity annually, enough to power 2.4 million households. It is also designed to reduce carbon emissions by 4.3 million tonnes per year—equivalent to removing 3 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the roads.

Supporting National Energy Goals

The Terra Solar Project is aligned with the Philippines’ renewable energy targets of achieving a 35% energy mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040. The country’s current renewable capacity stands at nearly 30%, with solar accounting for 1.6 GW.

Under a 20-year power supply agreement, the project will deliver 850 MW of clean energy to Meralco, with 600 MW expected by February 2026 and an additional 250 MW by February 2027.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the project’s significance during the groundbreaking ceremony, calling it a landmark initiative for renewable energy. 

“We stand together at the site of what will become the largest integrated solar and battery storage facility in the world—the Terra Solar Project. This landmark project will put our country on the map as a leader in renewable energy,” he said.

Meralco Chairman Manuel Pangilinan emphasized the collaboration between the public and private sectors, noting the project’s potential to position the Philippines as a leader in renewable energy.

Future Prospects

Central Luzon views the Terra Solar Project as a catalyst for further renewable energy development. SP New Energy Corporation has outlined plans for additional projects in the region, leveraging the success of Terra Solar to expand clean energy solutions.

The Terra Solar Project, with its scale and impact, has the potential to establish a global standard for the integration of solar power and advanced battery storage, thereby enhancing the Philippines’ position in the global shift towards renewable energy.

References:

BusinessWorld Online. (2024, November 19). SPNEC taps Energy China for Terra Solar construction. BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2024/11/20/636063/spnec-taps-energy-china-for-terra-solar-construction/

EnerDATA. (n.d.). The Philippines starts construction on the 3.5 GW Terra Solar project. EnerDATA. https://www.enerdata.net/publications/daily-energy-news/philippines-starts-construction-35-gw-terra-solar-project.html

Foley, E. (n.d.). World’s largest 3.5 GW Terra solar project breaks ground in the Philippines. PV Magazine. https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2024/11/22/worlds-largest-3-5-gw-terra-solar-project-breaks-ground-in-the-philippines/