ACEN eyes 2027 switch-on of Zambales solar park

Ayala-led ACEN Corp. is moving forward with its P26-billion expanded Palauig solar project in Zambales, with commercial operations targeted in 2027.

In a disclosure on Friday, ACEN said its subsidiary, Giga Ace 8, Inc., intends to increase the capacity of the Palauig Solar Farm to 420 megawatt-peak (MWp).

This comes up from the initially proposed 300 MWp, based on documents submitted as part of the project’s environmental permitting process.

The expansion will enlarge the project area to 369.83 hectares (ha) from 275 ha and add 196,784 photovoltaic modules. This is according to the company’s filing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The company also confirmed that the Palauig project includes a 347-megawatt battery energy storage system. This is designed to support electricity supply during peak demand or periods of supply shortfall.

ACEN said the battery facility is projected to enter commercial operations in the second half of 2027. That is, subject to regulatory approvals and project execution timelines.

ACEN said the overall development will be implemented in three phases. Commercial operations are expected to begin as early as the second half of 2027. Later phases could extend to the second half of 2028.

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“As of November 2025, construction was 88.19 percent complete. The solar plant is expected to have a 25-year operational lifespan, while the battery units are projected to last 15 years,” ACEN said.

The company likewise said a public hearing on the project is scheduled for Jan. 28 to Jan. 29. This is a key step in the environmental impact assessment process.

ACEN said it will promptly disclose any material developments related to the project.