President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the groundbreaking of the Meralco Terra Solar Project, the largest integrated solar and battery storage facility in the world and will make the Philippines a leader in renewable energy (RE).
In a social media post, Marcos said the Terra Solar Project will address the surging demand for electricity and the need to shift to renewable and sustainable sources of energy.
Once fully operational in 2027, Terra Solar will energize over 2 million households in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. It will generate up to 3,500 megawatts of solar power to the Luzon grid, with 4,500 megawatt-hour battery energy storage.
It will also help reduce carbon emissions by more than 4.3 million metric tons annually.
“It is equivalent to removing 3 million gasoline-powered cars from our roads. The Terra Solar Project will help stabilize our power supply, reduce energy costs, and contribute significantly to our target of 35 percent renewable energy share in the power generation mix by the year 2030,” Marcos said in his speech during the ceremony.
The over P200-billion project spans 3,500 hectares across Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. It 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.
Marcos said the project is expected to create over 10,000 job opportunities and will generate nearly P23 billion in financial benefits over the next decade.
“This landmark project will put our country on the map as a leader in renewable energy. To Meralco, Terra Solar Philippines, Inc., Solar Philippines New Energy Corporation, MGen Renewable Energy Inc., and other partners behind these projects, your efforts have shown that we can forge ahead as key players in the world’s energy revolution,” he added.
Meanwhile, Marcos distributed yesterday 2,939 Certificates of Condonation that covered more than P206.38 million worth of unpaid loans and amortization of thousands of farmers from Pampanga.
The President awarded 30 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to over 2,000 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in a ceremony in Bacolor town.
As of November 17, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed 41,675 COCROMs, and 160,516 CLOAs.
The President said the government is looking at increasing seedling nurseries across the country which would benefit agriculture, food specialty, and food processing industries in the country, including those in Pampanga.
In a separate social media post, the President said SUCs are expected to “transform research and innovation into real solutions for our farmers”.
