Aboitiz breaks ground on Visayas’ largest solar project

By Glazyl M. Jopson

CADIZ CITY, Negros Occidental — Aboitiz Renewables Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corp., is building its largest solar power plant in the Visayas and its first integrated renewable energy and storage facility on Negros Island in Cadiz City.

Aboitiz Renewables President Jimmy Villaroman, Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., and Negros Occidental 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III led Friday’s groundbreaking for the 239-megawatt-peak solar and 65-megawatt battery energy storage project.

The project will occupy a 180-hectare property in Barangay Luna, Cadiz City.

The solar-plus-storage facility is expected to expand the renewable energy supply in Negros Occidental while helping address the intermittent nature of solar generation by storing electricity for later use.

The Luna Solar Power Project has an estimated investment cost of PHP 13.85 billion, according to a filing cited by BusinessWorld.

An environmental impact statement filed with the Environmental Management Bureau identified the project’s exact proposed area as 179.8119 hectares.

This is the company’s third project in the province, beginning with San Carlos Sun Power Inc., or SacaSun, which operates a 59-megawatt-peak utility-scale solar photovoltaic facility in San Carlos City.

The company’s second project is the 173-megawatt-peak solar facility in Calatrava, currently its largest operating solar and renewable energy facility in the Visayas.

In his message, Villaroman said the latest project marked a significant milestone in the company’s portfolio, which has grown from 900 megawatts in 2020 to 2.3 gigawatts at present.

“But we know that numbers only tell half the story. We do not measure success merely by added capacity. We measure it by the grit of our teams, the resilience of our infrastructure, and the enduring positive impact our operations have on the communities we serve,” he added.

Villaroman said the Cadiz solar development, dubbed Project Luna, will surpass the Calatrava project once it begins operating.

He said Negros Occidental has proven to be an ideal hub for renewable energy because of its natural potential and proactive local policies.

Villaroman cited the SecuRE Negros road map and support from the Provincial Energy Development Council as measures that allow clean energy projects to move forward with confidence.

“This is a deliberate choice,” he said.

Villaroman expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and collaborative spirit shown by local stakeholders in helping ensure that the project brings meaningful and lasting value to Cadiz City.

He also thanked the people of Cadiz City for their trust and for holding the company to the standards expected of a responsible developer and good neighbor.

“That is a responsibility we accept, and one we intend to live up to every day through the work we do,” he said.

Aboitiz Renewables Vice President for Engineering and Construction Cris Alidon said construction will begin by the end of the year.

Alidon said the project is expected to be completed by 2028.

He said construction will generate employment for at least 1,000 people, most of whom will be local residents.

Alidon said the company expects to invest in more projects in the province as part of its mandate to help ensure a reliable and sufficient power supply in the country.

“We are a developing country and this is is a clean renewable energy which is good for us,” he added.

Escalante expressed excitement about the solar farm, saying it demonstrates the city’s capacity to host, manage, and welcome large-scale projects.

He said the project also reflects the city’s intention to expand its economy beyond agriculture.

“This is probably one of the biggest single investment in the history of the province and it means a lot to the province and the city,” he added.

Marañon said the project demonstrates investors’ confidence in Cadiz City.