ABOITIZ Power Corp.’s renewable energy (RE) arm, Aboitiz Renewables Inc., has secured the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) final grid connection approval for its 137.4 MW Calatrava solar power plant in Negros Occidental.
The company issued a statement on Thursday, stating that the NGCP’s Final Certificate of Approval to Connect signifies the facility’s readiness for commercial operation and confirms that the plant meets the technical and operational requirements for grid connection.
Aboitiz Power added that the solar power plant is expected to enhance energy availability in the region and support broader national objectives to scale up the integration of variable renewable energy across the grid.
”Aboitiz Renewables is able to complete great projects like the Calatrava solar power plant with the strong collaboration from NGCP. We appreciate NGCP for working closely with us to bring this project online,” Jimmy Villaroman, Aboitiz Renewables president said.
“This milestone adds significant capacity to the grid, helps electricity suppliers meet their Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) obligations, and is another step forward for the country as far as our nationwide energy transition objectives are concerned,” he added.
RPS mandates distribution utilities to source an agreed portion of their energy supply from eligible RE suppliers to contribute to the growth of the industry.
Aboitiz Power added that, as part of its expanding renewable energy pipeline, it is also preparing to energize two more solar projects in Luzon. The Olongapo solar power plant in Olongapo City is currently 95 percent complete and is on track for testing and commissioning by the third quarter of 2025.
The construction of the San Manuel solar power plant in Pangasinan is targeting a similar commissioning window, as these upcoming facilities will connect to NGCP’s Castillejos 230 kilovolt (kV) and San Manuel 69 kV substations, respectively, the company added.
Aboitiz Power has set a capital expenditure budget of P78.1 billion for this year. Aboitiz Power, as an entire group, has a current growth strategy to add 3,600 MW of new RE capacity, for a total of 4,600 MW worth of RE by 2030. Paired with thermal power plants, it aims for a total portfolio of 9,200 MW by 2030.
