LANDBANK drives clean energy access in Palawan with ₱800-M microgrid financing

LANDBANK has extended an ₱800-million financing facility to Archipelago Renewables Corporation (ARC) to fund smart, hybrid renewable energy microgrids across 14 underserved barangays in Palawan.

The financing will fund the establishment of 16 off-grid microgrids and 175 kilometers of distribution network to provide 24/7 electricity to 7,100 households, over 300 small businesses, and vital community facilities within the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) franchise area. The hybrid systems will combine solar photovoltaic technology, battery energy storage, and diesel backup to ensure stable, affordable power for more than 30,000 residents.

The partnership was formalized through a ceremonial signing on June 22, 2026 at the LANDBANK Plaza in Manila, with LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, WEnergy Global CEO Atem S. Ramsundersingh, ARC President Quintin Jose V. Pastrana, and MCPHC Treasurer Jose Antonio Gozun, alongside LANDBANK Executive Vice President Charlotte I. Conde and First Vice President Ann Marijell B. Ong. Also present as witnesses were Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara and H.E. Ambassador of the Netherlands Marielle Geraedts.

ARC is a special-purpose company established to develop and operate renewable and hybrid energy systems. It is backed by a consortium composed of Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Corporation (MCPHC), CleanGrid Partners Pte. Ltd., and WEnergy Global Pte. Ltd. — the pioneering company in off-grid and hybrid power systems — bringing together complementary expertise in energy infrastructure technology planning and design, and investments, project development, and operations management.

“This initiative goes beyond building infrastructure; it powers opportunity. By combining clean solar energy with innovative financing, we are strengthening communities, supporting local enterprises, and accelerating inclusive growth in underserved areas. This is how we move forward—sustainably and responsibly,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz.

WEnergy Global CEO Ramsundersingh said that LANDBANK’s commitment to empower Filipinos for a better future and WEnergy Global’s mission of powering change meet where it matters most: in the daily lives of families, children, and small entrepreneurs who need reliable electricity to learn, work, thrive, and build a better future.

“This partnership is about turning finance into economic and social impact, so a shopkeeper can keep her doors open longer, a child can study after sunset, and communities can move from darkness to opportunity. We are grateful to LANDBANK for going to the ground, seeing the impact firsthand, and joining us in the hard work of rural electrification and keeping development financing meaningful,” he added.

“We are proud to build and expand this robust foundation with LANDBANK, one that represents the largest private sector venture in off-grid electrification, beginning with our host communities in Palawan, Quezon, and Cebu,” affirmed ARC President Pastrana.

Meanwhile, highlighting the international collaboration behind the initiative, Ambassador Geraedts underscored the role of Dutch expertise in advancing sustainable energy solutions.

“WEnergy Global taps into the Dutch Knowledge infrastructure to bring the best of design to work for the off-grid communities. The company is a two-time award winner of the Dr. Albert Winsemius Award in Singapore for its planning and design work of off-grid electrification in the Philippines,” said Ambassador Geraedts.

ARC’s microgrid portfolio is recognized as an energy project of national significance, supporting broader efforts to expand electrification across underserved areas nationwide while reducing dependence on fossil fuel-based generation and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.

Through this partnership, LANDBANK reinforces its role as a key financing partner for transformative infrastructure that delivers both economic and social impact. The initiative also forms part of the Bank’s broader thrust to advance sustainability and climate-resilient development by supporting investments in renewable energy, environmental protection, and inclusive growth. (LANDBANK)