EcoSolar Energy Corp. (ESEC), a unit of the Yuchengco-led PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC), has secured the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for its 20-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Panitan, Capiz.
The Environmental Management Bureau Region 6 (EMB-R6) office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued the ECC on Nov. 13, 2025. The certificate gives ESEC clearance and related responsibilities for the environmentally compliant development of the 20-MW BESS plant, including associated electro-mechanical equipment and civil works on a 0.6-hectare site.
“We thank DENR-EMB Region 6 for this ECC approval which follows other pre-development milestones achieved such as the local government units’ endorsements in April and June 2025, and the system impact study (SIS) approval by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in October 2025,” said Yrel Ventura, PGEC assistant vice president.
“All these bring us closer to constructing and operating our Panitan BESS project by the fourth quarter of 2026 to support stability of the Panay sub-grid and, hence, added energy security for Panay communities.”
The BESS project is located beside ESEC’s 100-MW solar power project, which is currently under development. The solar project received a certificate of authority (COA) from the Department of Energy (DOE) in May.
“DOE’s COA grants ESEC the exclusive authority for the planned 90 to 100 megawatt direct current (MWDC) PSPP, a ground-mounted solar project we will develop in approximately 88 hectares of land we own in the municipality of Panit-an, Capiz. When completed, it will be PGEC’s single biggest contiguous solar power facility,” said Hiroki Hiwatashi, PGEC Panitan solar power project manager.
“The COA allows us a year to secure the necessary development permits, conduct feasibility studies, and mature the project toward a final investment decision and the application of a solar energy operating contract,” Hiwatashi said.
The project has received support from local government officials.
Capiz Gov. Frenedil Castro and Vice Gov. James Magbanua urged Panit-an residents and concerned government agencies in a recent public hearing to strongly support the project. They noted it will be the first large-scale renewable power plant built in Capiz, bringing new power supply, jobs for local residents and tax revenues to local government units of the province.
The project received the formal endorsement of the Panit-an local government through a resolution of support issued by the Panit-an Sanggunian Bayan (Legislative Council) on May 2, 2025, following the public consultation.
“We are proud to support ESEC’s solar project, which will not only provide clean energy and additional power but also bring economic opportunities to our community,” said Panitan Mayor Katherine Dequiña-Belo. “This endorsement is just the beginning of long-term collaboration, and we assure our investors that we will steadfastly support and protect this project to ensure we all benefit from its success.”
