By Brian Campued
To address the growing demand for electricity in the country while supporting the shift toward renewable energy, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the groundbreaking of the Meralco Terra (MTerra) Solar Project, expected to be the largest integrated solar and battery storage facility in the world.
“This landmark project will put our country on the map as a leader in renewable energy,” the President said during the ceremony in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.
The solar project, Marcos said, will power over two million households and reduce carbon emissions by more than 4.3 million metric tons annually—equivalent to removing three million gasoline-powered cars from roads.
“Once fully operational by 2027, this facility will deliver 3,500 megawatts peak of solar power to the Luzon grid, with 4,500 megawatt-hour[s] of battery energy storage,” he explained.
Spanning 3,500 hectares across Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, the MTerra will initially be connected to the existing 500-kiloVolt (kV) Nagsaag-San Jose Transmission Line and later linked to the upcoming 500-kV Nagsaag-Marilao Transmission Line.
Aside from benefitting local residents, the project will create over 10,000 job opportunities, boost local economies, and open doors for growth and development.
Moreover, the Chief Executive said the P200 billion investment for the project also demonstrates the confidence of stakeholders in the Philippines’ potential to ensure a stable, steady, and reliable power supply.
“Over the next decade, it is poised to generate nearly P23 billion in financial benefits—resources that will pave the way for even greater progress. The impacts and advancements of this project are amongst those that we envisioned when I spoke about energy in my recent State of the Nation Address,” the President said.
“We are working towards a steady and reliable power supply that will meet the demands of today and continuously fuel our ambitions for tomorrow. Projects like Terra Solar bring us closer to that vision,” he added.
He also urged government agencies and private sector partners to ensure timely completion of the project and replicate similar efforts in renewable energy projects nationwide.
In a media interview following the groundbreaking ceremony, Marcos touted the capacity of the MTerra to store power and assure continuous supply of energy.
“Mayroong 3,500 hectares [na solar energy provider] sa ibang lugar ngunit ’yong kanila (Meralco Terra Solar), walang baterya. Ito lang ang una sa buong mundo na nagkaroon ng, hindi lamang solar na three and a half thousand hectares, kung hindi may battery pa rin para tuloy-tuloy ang pagbigay ng kuryente sa grid,” he explained.
“Bagay na bagay sa atin ang solar dahil alam naman ninyo kahit umuulan, may araw pa rin at nakakapagbigay pa ng power ang solar,” he added.
The President, likewise, commended Meralco, Terra Solar Philippines, Inc., Solar Philippines New Energy Corporation, MGen Renewable Energy Inc., and other partners involved in the project for their efforts in positioning the country as a key player in global energy revolution.
“We congratulate all of those who put the project together. And we will be watching it and doing all that we can to help it along to make sure that it is a success,” Marcos said.
—iro