(Photo: Citicore Renewable Energy)
Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a 240 MW solar power project in Pangasinan, north of Metro Manila, on 24. This marks CREC's second groundbreaking this year, underscoring the company's dedication to promoting sustainable energy in the Philippines.
Upon completion, the facility is projected to have an annual generation capacity of around 326 GWh, sufficient to supply electricity to approximately 136,000 households. This could lead to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, estimated at about 228,000 tons per year.
Aligned with CREC's commitment to contribute approximately 1 GW of ready-to-build solar energy capacity every year for the next five years, its Pangasinan projects have secured off-take contracts with the government through the Green Energy Auction Program, in support of the administration's renewable energy targets.
The first phase of the project, comprising 168 MW of gross installed capacity, is expected to commence commercial operations by the end of 2024. The second phase of the project, comprising 72 MW of gross installed capacity, is expected to start commercial operations in Dec. 2025.
150 MW solar power plant in Cebu
Meanwhile, a consortium is set to commence the development of a 150 MW solar power plant in Daanbantayan, Cebu to address the rising energy demand of the province and help solve the power outages in neighboring Panay Island.
Gwendolyn Garcia, Governor of Cebu, said in a statement on 23 that the solar plant, to be situated in Barangay Talisay and at no cost to the local government except for the 185-hectare lot, will be developed, operated, and maintained by Spain-based Acciona Energia Global and local firm Freya Renewables under a 25-year concession.
Garcia met with the executives of the consortium, Daanbantayan Mayor and officials of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) at the capitol on 22 to discuss the partnership.
During the meeting, NGCP vice presidents expressed their commitment to facilitate the transmission of the power produced by the consortium to the power distributors in Cebu and neighboring provinces.
NGCP also offered the consortium with a complimentary System Impact Study to aid in assessing the power grid’s capacity to integrate a new generator, identifying some enhancements such as additional transmission lines, transformers, or substations.
