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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider German firm ib vogt eyes bigger RE push in Mindanao

German firm ib vogt eyes bigger RE push in Mindanao

Published Jul 27, 2026 11:04 am
Tantangan solar project phase one by Apolaki Seven, Inc., a unit under ib vogt GmbH
Tantangan solar project phase one by Apolaki Seven, Inc., a unit under ib vogt GmbH

After commissioning Mindanao’s first utility-scale ground-mounted solar facility, German energy firm ib vogt GmbH is planning to surpass its own record in the region by developing an even larger renewable energy (RE) portfolio.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin last week, Isabelle Melocoton, marketing director of ib vogt Philippines Inc., disclosed the company’s plans to participate in the upcoming seventh round of the government’s Green Energy Auction (GEA-7), with about 400 megawatts alternating current (MWac) of projects in the pipeline in Mindanao.

“We are quite busy and loaded in the Philippines with big plans for GEA-7,” she said, citing the company’s recent completion of the 60-MWac Tantangan solar facility in South Cotabato province, which is the first phase of a project with a total capacity of up to 99 megawatts peak (MWp).

Through its subsidiary Apolaki Seven Inc., the solar facility is expected to complete the second phase of construction by October and will integrate a four-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) to store excess electricity for use during periods of peak demand. The project was awarded under two GEA rounds, with the first phase secured under GEA-2 and the second phase under GEA-4.

Its solar projects in the region are expected to generate 160 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity annually.

The Department of Energy (DOE) plans to release the terms of reference (TOR) for GEA-7 in August, providing the guidelines for developers intending to bid for rooftop solar and solar-plus-BESS capacities.

Although ib vogt has yet to disclose the planned investment for its upcoming expansion in Mindanao, Melocoton said the company is also advancing other RE projects.

These include plans to begin construction of its Surigao project, with the first phase targeted for completion by 2027. Meanwhile, the company is also preparing to start development of its Panay project.

Through Apolaki Eight Inc., ib vogt is developing the 80-MWac Luca solar project in Iloilo province. The company recently secured a ₱4.5-billion loan from Yuchengco-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC).

Related Tags

Solar Energy Germany green energy auction (GEA)
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