Largest Solar Energy Projects in the Philippines Online and in the Pipeline – CleanTechnica

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Visayas’ largest solar facility feeding clean power since July, as Aboitiz Renewables prepares Luzon for its new flagship clean energy projects

September 2025 marks a transition point for Aboitiz Renewables Inc. (ARI), the clean energy subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, as it concludes the construction phase of its two largest solar developments to date. The company’s successful multi-project rollout addresses both regional power stability in the Visayas and the escalating national mandate for renewable energy integration.

Calatrava Solar achieves full commercial operation

The 173-megawatt peak (MWp) Calatrava Solar Power Plant (SPP) in Negros Occidental is now in full commercial operation. The plant, located in San Isidro, achieved this status after securing the Final Certificate of Approval to Connect (FCATC) from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The FCATC confirmed the facility’s compliance with technical and operational requirements for grid connection, establishing it as the largest operating solar and variable renewable energy (VRE) installation across the Visayas grid.

The Calatrava SPP, spanning approximately 143 hectares, began construction in late 2023 under the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) management of SUMEC Complete Equipment and Engineering Co., Ltd. Its successful integration enhances local energy supply and supports power suppliers in meeting their statutory Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) obligations.

Luzon solar pipeline rushes to commissioning

In Luzon, two high-capacity solar facilities are progressing toward their critical commissioning phase, underscoring ARI’s shift in focus to the northern grid.

The 211 MWp Olongapo Solar Power Plant in Zambales is set to become ARI’s largest solar project upon full operation. The project, which covers an approximate area of 196 hectares, began construction in late 2023 through a joint venture between Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute Co., LTD. (GEDI) and China Energy International Group Co., Ltd. As of September 2025, the Olongapo facility is reported to be 95% complete and is entering the final stage of testing and commissioning, aligned with the target for the close of the third quarter. It is slated to connect to the Luzon grid via the NGCP’s Castillejos $230\text{ kV}$ substation.

Alongside this flagship project, construction continues on the 89 MWp San Manuel Solar Power Plant in Pangasinan, which is also targeting the same commissioning window. Both the Olongapo and San Manuel projects were recently supported by a $\text{P}7.4\text{ billion}$ project financing deal, enabling the final push for commercial readiness. The San Manuel facility is scheduled to integrate its output through the San Manuel $69\text{ kV}$ substation.

Contribution to national energy goals

The simultaneous progress of these three facilities — Calatrava’s full operation and the imminent connection of the Olongapo and San Manuel plants — is a direct reflection of the private sector’s response to national energy policy. These projects contribute hundreds of megawatts of new capacity toward the country’s objective of increasing the renewable energy share in the generation mix.

These additions are integral to Aboitiz Power Corporation’s strategic goal of achieving a total clean energy portfolio of $4,600\text{ MW}$ by $2030$, providing a significant foundation for the nation’s ongoing transition toward a more balanced, reliable, and secure power system utilizing indigenous sources. The successful grid integration of these facilities highlights the industry’s technical capacity to manage large-scale VRE projects across the Philippine archipelago.