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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Meralco unit begins power dispatch from world's largest solar project

Meralco unit begins power dispatch from world's largest solar project

Published Mar 30, 2026 11:10 am
Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) has commenced the initial dispatch of electricity from its Terra Solar development, injecting much-needed capacity into the Philippine grid as the government moves to insulate the domestic economy from volatile global fuel markets.
In a statement on Monday, March 30, MGen said that Terra Solar Philippines Inc., its subsidiary in the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), began generating its first 250 megawatts of solar capacity.
The early delivery is intended to address heightened system demand and follows an initial authorization to export as much as 85 megawatts during the project’s testing and commissioning phase, according to a company statement.
MGen also energized the first tranche of its battery energy storage system (BESS), which is now capable of discharging 450 megawatt-hours of energy to the grid during off-peak hours or evening peaks.
Once fully operational, the facility is expected to be the largest available battery storage installation in the Philippines, providing a critical buffer to stabilize the national transmission hair-trigger as more intermittent solar power is integrated into the mix.
The project’s progress comes as the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) coordinate to fast-track renewable installations.
Dennis B. Jordan, MGen Renewables and Terra Solar president, said the achievement underscores the execution and collaboration required for a project of this scale.
He noted that such ventures are vital to securing the nation’s energy future at a time when reliability and affordability are under increasing pressure.
The phased approach to energization allows Meralco to deliver capacity ahead of the project’s final completion, a strategy MGen President Emmanuel Rubio said is essential for easing supply constraints. By bringing power to market earlier, the company aims to support efforts to maintain stable electricity prices despite evolving global conditions that have historically made the Philippines vulnerable to imported fossil fuel price shocks.
This private sector push aligns with a broader government mandate to fortify the grid. The Department of Energy over the weekend announced it is accelerating the entry of 1,471 megawatts of new capacity from 22 power plants scheduled for completion by next month. This government-led surge includes 12 solar projects totaling 1,284 megawatts, alongside smaller contributions from hydropower, biomass, and wind facilities.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin emphasized that timely delivery of these assets is a matter of national energy security. She noted that every megawatt safely brought into the grid strengthens the state's ability to manage supply risks and protect consumers from price spikes.
As part of this wider infrastructure buildup, seven additional BESS facilities with a combined capacity of 190 megawatts are also expected to be operational shortly.

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MGen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen) Terra Solar Philippines\' (MTerra Solar) Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)
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