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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider CREC powers 69-MWp solar plant in Negros Occidental

CREC powers 69-MWp solar plant in Negros Occidental

Published Mar 31, 2026 01:41 pm

Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) is ramping up its solar capacity as it adds nearly 70 megawatt-peak (MWp) to its portfolio.

In a statement on Tuesday, March 31, CREC announced that it has energized its 69-MWp Citicore Solar Negros Occidental 2 solar power plant, which will contribute additional power to the Visayas grid ahead of the anticipated summer demand.

Although the cost of the project remains undisclosed, the asset is expected to expand its capacity by up to 100 MWp. Located on a 69-hectare (ha) site in Brgy. Eustaquio Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental province, the facility is built to complement the operational 25-MWp Citicore Solar Negros Occidental 1.

The project is the sixth out of 12 initiatives under the second Green Energy Auction (GEA-2) program to be energized, as CREC President Oliver Tan said there are four other plants to be energized by April, and another two to be switched on in the following months.

“Delivering this project ahead of the summer peak demonstrates our ability to deliver dependable capacity when the system needs it most,” he said. “As one of our largest solar plants in Visayas to date, it demonstrates that our growth strategy extends beyond Luzon and anchored in strengthening energy security in the Visayas.”

Beyond increasing the grid’s renewable capacity, the project will also allocate land beneath the solar panels for high-value crops, ensuring the site retains its agricultural purpose.

“Negros Occidental has long been both an agricultural heartland and a renewable energy (RE) hub. By pairing solar generation with crop production, we demonstrate how energy infrastructure can co-exist with agriculture. CREC can deliver projects that are on time, at scale, and with a positive impact to the Filipino people,” Tan added.

CREC is currently planning to switch on about two gigawatts (GW) of new capacity this year and is allocating around ₱115 billion in 2026, with much of these capital outlays dedicated to funding its projects under the GEA-4 of the Department of Energy (DOE).

In 2025, the company posted a net income of ₱1.15 billion, about 14 percent higher than its ₱1 billion record in the previous year.

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Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) Solar Energy
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