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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider MSpectrum partners with Japanese firms for industrial solar projects

MSpectrum partners with Japanese firms for industrial solar projects

Published Jun 25, 2026 12:45 pm  |  Updated Jun 25, 2026 05:03 pm
SOLAR PARTNERSHIP FORGED. MSpectrum, Inc., Tokyo Century Corporation (TC), and JFE Engineering Corporation (JFEE) signed a Joint Venture Agreement to establish MSpectrum Taiyo Inc., combining their expertise in renewable energy, financing, and engineering to accelerate solar adoption in the Philippines. In photo are (L-R) MSpectrum Chief Operating Officer Patrick Henry T. Panlilio, MSpectrum Chairman Ronnie L. Aperocho, Manila Electric Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan, TC Senior Managing Executive Officer and Global Business Unit President Toshio Kitamura, and JFEE Managing Director and Head of the Power Business Division Atsushi Kobayashi.
SOLAR PARTNERSHIP FORGED. MSpectrum, Inc., Tokyo Century Corporation (TC), and JFE Engineering Corporation (JFEE) signed a Joint Venture Agreement to establish MSpectrum Taiyo Inc., combining their expertise in renewable energy, financing, and engineering to accelerate solar adoption in the Philippines. In photo are (L-R) MSpectrum Chief Operating Officer Patrick Henry T. Panlilio, MSpectrum Chairman Ronnie L. Aperocho, Manila Electric Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan, TC Senior Managing Executive Officer and Global Business Unit President Toshio Kitamura, and JFEE Managing Director and Head of the Power Business Division Atsushi Kobayashi.

Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Co.’s (Meralco) solar subsidiary has partnered with two Japan-based companies to develop solar projects for industrial facilities in the Philippines.

In a statement on Thursday, June 25, MSpectrum Inc. said it secured a joint venture (JV) agreement with Tokyo Century Corp. (TC) and JFE Engineering Corp. (JFEE) to construct, own, and operate solar rooftop and ground-mounted solar projects, accelerating renewable energy (RE) adoption by Japanese businesses in the country.

The JV, named MSpectrum Taiyo Inc., will leverage MSpectrum’s local market presence and expertise in electricity, TC’s global financing expertise, and JFEE’s engineering and RE experience.

MSpectrum will hold a 60-percent equity stake in the partnership, while TC will own 30 percent, and JFEE will hold the remaining 10 percent.

Ronnie L. Aperocho, MSpectrum chairman, said the collaboration goes beyond strengthening the organizations involved, stating that it “aims to contribute to the country’s broader energy transition by expanding access to clean and reliable energy solutions, helping businesses manage energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance their long-term competitiveness.”

TC senior managing executive officer and global business unit president Toshio Kitamura said the company is looking to support the Philippines’ rapid economic growth by introducing clean energy while reducing costs, especially as this has become an important priority for Japanese companies here.

“As demand for carbon neutrality continues to grow, we believe this collaboration will help businesses achieve their sustainability goals while contributing to a more sustainable [future],” said JFEE managing director Atsushi Kobayashi.

The new JV follows an earlier partnership under Japan’s joint crediting mechanism (JCM) program in 2018. Under the partnership, several solar power purchase agreement (PPA) projects were implemented from 2019 to 2021. - Gabriell Christel Galang

Related Tags

MSpectrum Inc. MERALCO Japan Solar Energy
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