Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government must move faster to match the pace of innovations by private firms in the renewable energy (RE) sector. Marcos issued his observation during the switch-on of Citicore Solar Batangas 1, the Philippines’ first baseload solar power plant, in Tuy town. The President said the project demonstrates how private sector expertise can deliver both clean energy and food security.
According to Philippines News Agency, Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC), a leading pure-play renewable energy firm, developed and operates the 197-megawatt-peak Citicore Solar Batangas 1, reinforced by a 320-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System. The facility is expected to power up to 158,300 households while cutting over 265,000 tons of carbon emissions yearly, equivalent to removing thousands of cars from the roads.
The project also introduces the ‘AgroSolar’ initiative, which integrates crop farming under and around solar panels, maximizing land use while augmenting farmers’ income. Marcos underscored that the government is easing processes for RE projects through the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop and investment ‘green lanes,’ while assuring that the Department of Energy is working with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and local governments to strengthen transmission and infrastructure.
Marcos emphasized, “The Philippines is open to the future. We are open to business and innovation. Our arms are open to a future where clean energy is the norm.” CREC, which aims to deliver 5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy within five years, said the Batangas facility is part of its 1-GW target by end-2025. The President lauded the company’s commitment, saying that the project reflects the importance of government and private sector partnership.