MGen Renewable Energy Inc. and Vena Energy said Wednesday their 68-megawatt solar project in Currimao, Ilocos Norte province will be completed this year.
The parties recently held a ceremony to lay a time capsule in celebration of the progress of the project. The two companies said they are set to complete energization of the power plant by the end of 2022 and start commercial operations by the first quarter of 2023.
“We are looking forward to commencing its operations soon and witnessing how it would help advance economic progress and create better lives for all,” said Meralco PowerGen Corp. president and chief executive Jaime Azurin.
Azurin welcomed the support of the local governments of Currimao and Ilocos Norte workers on the ground for the timely accomplishment of the solar project with Vena Energy.
“We are grateful to the government of Currimao and Ilocos Norte for their continued support for our second project here, and we look forward to delivering it on time safely for the benefit of the nation and our host communities,” said Vena Energy Philippines head Samrinder Nehria.
“We hope that through our partnership with MGreen, this project will play an important role in accelerating the energy transition in the Philippines,” Nehria said.
Among those who attended the event were Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manatoc and Vice Governor Cecillia Araneta-Marcos and Currimao Mayor Edward Quilala and Vice Mayor Sandra Cabreros.
MGreen signed a partnership with Vena Energy in February for the solar project’s development, construction and operation.
MGreen is a wholly-owned renewable energy unit of MGEN—the power generation arm of Manila Electric Company. MGEN plans to build 1,500 MW of renewable energy projects in the next seven years.
MGEN started the commercial operations of BulacanSol’s 55-MW solar plant in San Miguel, Bulacan in 2021. This was followed by the construction of another 75-MW solar project in Baras, Rizal through PH Renewables Inc.
Vena Energy is a leading renewable energy company in the Asia-Pacific region that owns, develops, constructs operates, manages and commercializes a renewable energy portfolio totaling 18 GW of solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, battery energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects.
Vena Energy has a fully-integrated business model and an extensive local presence throughout the region with 67 corporate and site offices in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.