Gigasol1 Inc., a subsidiary of ACEN Corp., announced plans to increase the generating capacity of its solar power plant located in Barangay Burgos, Botolan, Zambales, from 95 megawatts peak to 225.909 MWp, with an indicative project cost of P13.4 billion.
Gigasol1 filed documents with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to amend its previously approved environmental compliance xertificate issued on Oct. 14, 2023.
The certificate covers a solar power plant with a total generating capacity of 95 MW in an area of 400 hectares located at Barangay Burgos, Botolan, Zambales.
The amendment proposed to increase the capacity of the plant and also includes the development of a 14-kilometer access road traversing Barangays Poonbato and Burgos, which will support the expanded operations of the solar facility.
“The Gigasol1 Solar Power Plant Project aims to achieve sustainable development and supply electricity to the Luzon Grid to address the expected lack of supply and increasing demand for power. Aside from the employment opportunities that the project presents, the project intends to construct a means to harness clean and renewable energy for Luzon,” the company said.
The proposed project will need about 1,000 workers (skilled and non-skilled) during the construction phase and 50 during the operation.
Construction and installation of components are scheduled to begin in phases this year, starting with the 22-kilometer transmission line followed by the power plant facility. The transmission line will traverse Barangays Burgos, Moraza, Villar and Belbel in Botolan, and Barangay Sta. Fe in San Marcelino, Zambales.
Gigasol1 said the project will utilize solar energy captured through a “solar field” consisting of a large group of semiconductor-technology-based silicon solar cells arranged in solar panels or modules. The photovoltaic panels will be mounted on fixed or stationary structural components.
Inverters will be arranged in several arrays to collect and convert the produced power.
The GigaSol1 Substation and San Marcelino Substation Bay improvements are both targeted to commence in December 2026. Completion of all major components is expected by September to December 2027. Testing and commissioning of the plant are targeted for September 2027, with full commercial operations projected to begin by December 2027.
The company said the indicative project cost is estimated at P13.39 billion, which will be spent for detailed engineering studies and designs, including the acquisition of necessary government permits and licenses; site preparation/development; construction of the project facilities; procurement of necessary equipment and materials; environmental management and protection, air pollution devices and water treatment facilities; and environmental monitoring activities.
