Solar rooftop installation of Merbau Corporation in Batangas City, the Philippines. (Photo: UGEP)
Filipino company Upgrade Energy Philippines (UGEP) is setting an ambitious goal of 700 MW for rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations across commercial and industrial (C&I) customers that it is planning to accomplish by 2028.
The first major project delivered by the company so far as engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor has been the 13.811 MW solar rooftop installation of Merbau Corporation, the renewable energy development arm of JG Summit Holdings.
Merbau President Patrick Henry Go said, “The successful completion of this project highlights our partnership and teamwork with UGEP, our EPC contractor, towards reinforcing our commitment to driving sustainable and energy solutions.”
To date, that solar development is considered the largest consumer-driven solar rooftop installation in the Philippines.
According to Ruth Yu-Owen, UGEP’s President, that project had encouraged the firm to accelerate development plans for its targeted clients in the years ahead, although she has not named their next wave of solar projects yet.
“We are bullish on the growth of solar in the country," she said, emphasizing that the company “creates efficient and sustainable power solutions for its clients.”
UGEP and Aboitiz Power announced a 50:50 joint venture agreement for solar projects last year, providing support to the capabilities and financial strength for the former to undertake pipelined projects.
Currently, there are no clear winners yet in the solar rooftop installation space, but this is emerging to be an ‘aggressive investment play’ for many renewable energy companies in the Philippines, primarily in addressing the need for cleaner energy sources of the C&I base of clients.
“The future energy landscape will be one of 100% renewable energy, strategically located close to demand centers and sized appropriately as to limit grid constraints and minimize losses,” said Yu.
Looking ahead, the company said that it will also venture into utility-scale wind farm developments, as well as battery energy storage solutions.
