Laguna, Philippines — Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon S. Garin visited the Makiling-Banahaw (MakBan) Geothermal Power Facility and Cleanergy Center of Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower). The pioneer facility has been delivering reliable and clean power to Luzon for over four decades.

The 338.8-megawatt MakBan facility, one of the country’s largest and oldest geothermal plants, continues to provide stable power to the Luzon grid and serves as a key example of how indigenous renewable energy sources can contribute to baseload supply and national decarbonization targets. Adjacent to the facility, a battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Bay, Laguna is currently under construction; set to support MakBan and become the first-ever BESS and geothermal hybrid system in the Philippines once completed.

Hosted by AboitizPower President and CEO Danel Aboitiz and Aboitiz Renewables executives led by President Jimmy Villaroman, Secretary Garin toured the MakBan facility — part of the 590-megawatt Tiwi-MakBan geothermal complex — and received briefings on the company’s renewable energy portfolio and project pipeline. In a speech, Secretary Garin emphasized that the DOE is a government ally driving public-private collaboration that drives the country’s energy transition goals.

“The government is not just here to regulate. We are here to enable, partner with, and support you every step of the way,” the Energy Secretary said. “Together, we’ll continue to craft policies, create platforms, and build partnerships that lead us to achieve our energy goals."

The Philippines is currently the third-largest geothermal power producer in the world after the United States and Indonesia. It was once the second-largest producer before being surpassed by Indonesia in 2018.

Aboitiz Renewables operates a growing diversified portfolio of renewable energy assets nationwide, spanning geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, and BESS.

“We believe that renewables are not just a necessary part of the future — they are the future,” Villaroman said. “For us, every kilowatt we deliver is a contribution to our customers, to the power system, and to a more sustainable and resilient Philippines.”

The Energy Secretary’s visit also included a tour of the Cleanergy Center, an energy education hub that promotes awareness of renewable energy technologies and sustainability among students and local stakeholders.

“To the Aboitiz Renewables team, partners, and the host communities, congratulations on the continuing and thriving partnership you are showing in the operation of these geothermal power plants and innovative projects,” Secretary Garin said. “May this inspire continued collaboration between the government, host communities and the private sector in advancing clean and green energy for all Filipinos.”

The MakBan site visit is part of Secretary Garin’s ongoing engagements with energy stakeholders to accelerate progress on the Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050, including reaching 50% renewable energy share in the country’s power generation mix by 2040.