The FDC Green Energy Corp. (FDCGEC) has announced plans to expand its solar power project in Misamis Oriental, driven by the expected surge in electricity demand.
In a statement, the Filinvest Group’s power arm said its soon-to-rise solar power project in the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate will increase its capacity from 11.5 megawatts to 19.78 megawatts.
FDCGEC said that the decision expand was based on its comprehensive feasibility studies, which revealed "opportunities to maximize the output of the project.”
"We are excited to share the positive outcome of our feasibility studies, which have paved the way for the expansion of our first solar power project in Mindanao," Juan Eugenio L. Roxas, president and chief executive officer of FDC Utilities, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including FDCGEC.
"This development aligns with the Filinvest Group's purpose of enabling Filipino communities to achieve their dreams through energy security,” he added.
The project will install over 34,000 monocrystalline solar panels, generating 30,450 megawatt-hours of clean energy per year.
FDCGEC said this renewable energy will help electric power industry players, including electric cooperatives, meet the Department of Energy's Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) requirements.
Starting in 2023, RPS mandates participants to source 2.52 percent of their annual energy demand from eligible renewable energy facilities to support the country's goal of increasing the renewable energy share in the energy mix to 35 percent by 2030.
"Filinvest is actively pursuing diverse energy projects in anticipation of peak demand growing annually by 7% until 2040, based on the DOE’s forecast,” Roxas said.
“We believe in working together as a community and remain focused on supplying the energy security requirements of the communities we support,” he added.
The PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate is a major economic zone in the country, housing several manufacturing and industrial companies.