The Maharlika Consortium has started construction on 24 off-grid microgrids across the Philippines, marking the country’s largest private sector investment in rural electrification to date.
The P2.1-billion ($35 million) project follows regulatory approvals from the Energy Regulatory Commission and aims to provide 24/7 electricity to over 11,560 households in Palawan, Cebu, and Quezon provinces.
This will benefit more than 50,000 people and local enterprises in previously unserved or underserved communities. Awarded through a competitive selection process under the Qualified Third Party Programme and the Microgrid Service Provider Act, the portfolio will deploy smart, utility-grade infrastructure. The initial rollout includes 7 megawatt peak solar PV, 8 MWh of battery energy storage systems, 3.5 MW of diesel capacity, and 225 km of smart distribution networks.
The project is expected to create 300 full-time jobs during a 10-12 month construction phase, followed by 30 permanent operations and maintenance positions.
Consortium partners WEnergy Global and CleanGrid Partners said decentralized hybrid power is a critical strategy for energy security amid a global oil crisis. These systems are designed to reduce government fuel subsidies, as 50-60 percent of the power is generated from local sunlight.
San Vicente Mayor Ramir Pablico cited the local impact of the infrastructure. “This program is about creating opportunities, improving lives, and building a brighter future for every San Vicentenian. As we lay the foundation today, we are not only building infrastructure—we are building hope,” Pablico said.
Maharlika Clean Power Holdings president Quintin Pastrana said the group is focused on building scalable microgrids to reach 2 million unenergized Filipino households.
Pastrana expressed gratitude to partners for navigating the new regulatory framework and noted that streamlined processes could help the government reach 100 percent household energization within the decade.
The expansion builds on the Sabang Microgrid, which the consortium has operated since 2019 in the UNESCO Heritage community of Puerto Princesa.
Through special purpose companies Archipelago Renewables Corp. and ARC II, the consortium aims to have every target community energized by December 2026 to support schools, health stations and small businesses.
