President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the groundbreaking of the 3,500-hectare Meralco Terra Solar Project, the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility, in Gapan, Nueva Ecija.
In his speech, Mr. Marcos underscored the project’s potential to meet the Philippines’ growing energy demands, transition to sustainable energy, and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
“Once fully operational by 2027, this facility will deliver 3,500 megawatts peak of solar power to the Luzon grid, with 4,500 megawatt-hour battery energy storage,” the President said at ceremonies launching the construction of the project.
“It will energize over 2 million households and cut carbon emissions by more than 4.3 million metric tons annually—the equivalent of removing 3 million gasoline-powered cars from our roads,” he added.
The P200-billion project spans Nueva Ecija and Bulacan and will initially connect to the existing 500-kilovolt Nagsaag-San Jose Transmission Line before linking to the upcoming Nagsaag-Marilao Transmission Line.
The President praised the collaboration between Meralco, Terra Solar Philippines, Solar Philippines New Energy Corporation, and MGen Renewable Energy Inc., describing the project as a testament to stakeholder confidence in the country’s potential to lead in renewable energy.
“This demonstrates a decisive step towards addressing global warming and climate change,” he said.
“It’s not just about meeting today’s power demands but ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply for tomorrow,” Mr. Marcos pointed out.
The facility is expected to create over 10,000 jobs and generate nearly PhP23 billion in financial benefits over the next decade.
The President noted that these positive outcomes align with the government’s broader vision of sustainable progress, as outlined in his 2024 State of the Nation Address.
“This project will not only power homes but also boost local economies, open doors for development, and position the Philippines as a global leader in renewable energy,” he said.
The President also highlighted the facility’s integrated battery technology, which ensures continuous power supply to the grid—an innovation he described as a global first.
“Even when it rains, we have sunlight that generates power. This is why solar energy is so well-suited for the Philippines,” he added.
The President called on government agencies and private sector partners to ensure the project’s timely completion and encouraged the replication of similar renewable energy initiatives across the country.
“We are working towards a steady and reliable power supply that will fuel our ambitions for the future. Projects like Terra Solar bring us closer to that vision,” he said.
