Citicore breaks ground largest solar plant in Batangas

TUY, Batangas – Continuing playing an exceptional role in the renewable energy revolution in the Philippines, Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC) is building its largest among the current portfolio, a 680 megawatt (MW) peak solar power plant in Tuy, Batangas.

Once operational, the Batangas solar power plant will bring CREC’s total installed capacity from its solar facilities to 921-megawatt, further cementing its position as one of the largest and reliable contributors of pure renewable energy in the country’s energy mix.

CREC’s other renewable energy are derived from its 10 existing solar facilities strategically located across the Philippines, specifically in Armenia, Tarlac, Dalayap Tarlac, Bulacan, Bataan, South Cotabato, Toledo, Cebu, Silay, South Cotabato, and Arayat-Mexico, Pampanga.

Last March 21, CREC broke ground its first pure renewable energy facility in Tuy, and the biggest to be constructed in the province of Batangas. The project will be constructed in two phases over two years, and is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Luzon Grid after its completion.

Leading the groundbreaking ceremony are Energy Undersecretary for Special Concerns Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Atty. Monalisa C. Dimalanta together with Megawide President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Edgar B. Saavedra, CREC President and CEO Oliver Y. Tan, and Tuy Mayor Jecerell C. Cerrado.

“CREC is committed to invest and develop more solar plants in the long run and help expand the country’s total renewable energy capacity. In fact, we have upsized our solar energy project pipeline alone by more than three times, from 1.5 GW to 5GW, in the next five years,” Tan said during the plant’s groundbreaking ceremony.

The Company is likewise capitalizing on technological hardware to further augment and stretch the benefits of its solar power inventory. “Aside from this development, we are also investing in the battery energy storage system (BESS) to extend the life of solar energy beyond daytime and offer more competitive alternatives to end-users,” added Tan, who is also the President and CEO of the Citicore Energy REIT Corp. (CREIT), the country’s first renewable energy REIT and largest landlord of solar farms.

Bacordo, who is representing Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla, said, “With this development, CREC is helping the government achieve its long-term clean energy targets of 30% renewable energy share in 2035 and 50% in 2040 in the Philippines. No doubt, the development this solar farm can further boost the country’s economy through local employment and additional livelihood opportunities for the host communities,” he added.

Tan approximated at least 2,400 job opportunities will be made available during the project’s construction phase, majority of which will be sourced within the host community and surrounding areas.

The Batangas Solar Project, to be situated in a 5,000,000-square meter land parcel, will have an estimated cost of P21.6 billion and is expected to begin commercial operations by 2024. The MCC-CCI will be engaged for the plant’s pre-development, construction and commissioning. Cerrado, for his part, also thanked CREC for bringing these big-ticket projects to Tuy, Batangas. “We are all in this collective movement towards a sustainable future for all by harnessing cleaner and renewable energy sources,” Cerrado said.

Also witnessing the ceremony are representatives from the, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Batangas 1 Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Batelec-1), Batelec-2 and officials of different barangays.

The second edition of Citi-Says highlights Juffer Edward Claveria, Jr., the Operations & Maintenance Engineer at Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC).

Claveria is a crucial member of the team responsible for ensuring the effective operation and maintenance of CREC’s solar assets. His role involves ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met and that the highest standards of safety are implemented.

Claveria’s dedication to his work is fueled by the culture of teamwork and trust that is highly valued at CREC. He recognizes that the success of the company is the result of the collaborative efforts of everyone involved, and he takes pride in being part of a team that shares a common goal. Claveria’s commitment to excellence and his appreciation of the value of teamwork make him a valuable asset to CREC and an inspiration to others in the renewable energy industry.

“First is competence, we are driven to perform to the best of our abilities. Second is innovation, we are always looking for better ways to improve on how we deliver clean and renewable energy to all. Lastly, we believe in teamwork,” Claveria adds.