NEWS

By Edith Hancock

Filipino utility Mgen’s 50MW solar project in Bucalan has come online. Image: Mgen

Commercial operations have started at a 50MW solar power plant in the Philippines after construction was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

The system, called PowerSource First Bulacan Solar, Inc. (PFBSI), is a joint venture between local power companies MGen Renewable Energy, Inc., a subsidiary of Filipino utility Meralco, and PowerSource Energy Holdings Corp located in the central Luzon province of Bulacan. The power facility cost the energy companies PHP4.25 billion (US$88.8 million) to bring to life, having broken ground on the project in December 2019.

The plant was originally due to be completed by the end of last year alongside a second 85MW installation in the province of Tarlac, according to the Philippine News Agency, but faced construction delays in February due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Chinese engineers contracted by MGen for the Bulacan solar project were temporarily unable to reach the site due to a Philippines government travel ban to and from China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Rogelio Singson, MGen president and chief executive officer, said it is the companies first operational solar project and marks “a very important milestone” and marks the start of a plan to “aggressively” expand its renewable energy portfolio to reach 1.5GW by 2028.

“We pledge to continue building more environmentally conscious projects as part of our commitment to a sustainable energy transition for the future generation.”

Source: PV Tech