SteelAsia switches on solar rooftop in Bulacan
One of the Philippines’ leading steel manufacturers, SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. (SteelAsia), has commissioned its first solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the rooftop of its plant in Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Installed in partnership with TotalEnergies ENEOS, the company said on Tuesday that the 1.9 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power system marked another step in its commitment to decarbonize its steel manufacturing operations.
With over 3,200 solar modules in place, the system that was commissioned on Jan. 28 is expected to generate around 2,700 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable electricity annually.
SteelAsia said the project was part of its broader strategy to integrate renewable energy sources across its operations.
The company had already transitioned two of its other plants— Calaca green steel manufacturing plant and the Compostela, Cebu rolling mill plant —to use geothermal energy.
“By expanding its use of sustainable energy, SteelAsia reinforces its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting cleaner industrial practices in the country,” the company said.
Back in 2024, the company said it intended to put up five more plants in the country in the next five years.
SteelAsia chair and CEO Benjamin Yao said having multiple factory locations was a deliberate geographic strategy to cut transport costs and sell to customers at the same price across the country.
Currently, the company operates mills in Meycauayan with an annual production capacity of 600,000 metric tons (MT); Calaca, with a capacity of 500,000 MT; Davao, producing 600,000 MT; and Compostela, which has the highest output at 800,000 MT.
Upcoming factories
To boost production, SteelAsia is developing two new facilities.
The Lemery Works facility, targeted for completion by 2026, will have a capacity of 500,000 MT per year and will be the country’s first medium sections steel mill.
Meanwhile, the Candelaria Works in Quezon, which is set to be completed by 2027, is expected to add 1 million MT to the company’s annual production.
With these expansions, SteelAsia aims to meet the increasing demand for steel in the Philippines, reduce reliance on imports and support the country’s infrastructure development.
