137.4-MW AboitizPower solar park cleared for grid plug-in
Aboitiz Power Corp. has secured the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ (NGCP) go signal to connect its 137.4-megawatt (MW) Negros Occidental solar park to the grid.
The company said on Thursday that Aboitiz Renewables Inc. received from NGCP the final certificate of approval to connect its Calatrava solar power plant. This paves the way for the facility’s commercial operations.
This also makes the project the “largest operating solar and variable renewable energy facility” in the Visayas.
According to Aboitiz Renewables president Jimmy Villaroman, the solar park would provide “significant capacity” to the grid. It will also help power suppliers achieve their targets under the government’s renewable portfolio standards rules.
“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,” the official said in a statement.
Aboitiz Renewables is also gearing up for the activation of two more solar facilities in Luzon by the latter part of the year. These are the Olongapo and San Manuel solar power plants.
“The successful grid integration of Calatrava SPP, alongside these upcoming projects, highlights Aboitiz Renewables’ momentum in contributing to the country’s renewable energy growth,” Villaroman said.
AboitizPower’s renewable energy arm generates over 1,965 MW of clean electricity from its overall portfolio.
Leo Lungay, vice president and general manager for the group’s solar and wind business team, earlier said the firm is working on more renewable energy projects—including wind, floating solar, hydro, geothermal and energy storage technologies—with a combined capacity of 3,000 MW.
By 2030, Aboitiz Renewables hopes to have 4,600 MW of capacity.
AboitizPower has operations in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services.
