Prime Solar Solutions Corp., a unit of the Razon-led Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., officially opened its 64-megawatt solar power facility in Maragondon, Cavite on Wednesday, July 17.
In a statement, Guillaume Lucci, Prime Infra president and chief executive officer, said the completion of the Maragondon solar power plant is important for the company's energy portfolio and sustainability initiatives.
“We have reached this point, of course, thanks to like-minded partners who not only envision a more sustainable future but actively work towards achieving it,” Lucci said.
“The plant inaugurated today is certainly a part of Prime Infra’s wider sustainable strategy and continues to be very much aligned to our purpose of building better lives and resilient economies through critical infrastructure,” he added.
The power plant in Maragondon, Cavite is one of Prime Solar's initial projects and is capable of providing 128 megawatts of clean, sustainable energy. Another power plant is located in Tanauan, Batangas.
According to Lucci, the combined capacity is projected to support approximately 84,000 homes and prevent the use of over 100,000 tons of coal annually.
“Trust that we will continue to support the national government’s agenda transition to clean energy sources, and we will proactively explore opportunities within the renewable space while capitalizing on innovative solutions to achieve energy security, dependability and affordability,” he said.
Prime Solar has a 20-year 50-megawatt power supply contract with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), and it will distribute the remaining power to the grid.
Marissa Cerezo, Department of Energy (DOE) Renewable Energy Management Bureau director, said that Prime Infra's solar power facilities will support the government's initiatives to promote clean and sustainable energy sources nationally.
“The DOE recognizes that the green energy that will be generated from this project will…ensure sustainable and secure energy. Moreover, this project to bring opportunities to the local community, in the potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and attract investments. It is not just a facility. It is a catalyst for change,” Cerezo said.
Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Monalisa Dimalanta, meanwhile, cited the hard work required to complete solar power projects and commend Prime Infra and Prime Solar’s support in providing reliable power through renewable energy sources.
“Definitely it takes more than a village to build a solar power project. Transitioning to a cleaner energy system requires hard work from all of us. We will have to do this effort, this partnership between public and private sector participants several times over in order for us to make sure that electricity keeps flowing to light our homes and power our economy in a clean and sustainable manner,” she said.
“This project will supply clean energy to Meralco consumers at a fixed price for the next 20 years without risk of global oil or coal market or foreign currency fluctuation. As hosts to this project, the people of Batangas and Cavite will enjoy the additional financial benefits from each kilowatt-hour sold by the project. The team in Prime Solar will continue to take pride in supplying clean energy to our systems,” Dimalanta added.
Constructed in April 2023, both the Maragondon and Tanauan solar power plants employed the most advanced execution technology which drove its quick progress to full completion.