MGEN opens first phase of MTerra Solar

Meralco PowerGen Corp. and its partners have inaugurated the first phase of MTerra Solar in Nueva Ecija, completing what the company described as the world’s largest operating integrated solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage facility on a single site.

The project is expected to strengthen Luzon’s power supply by providing 600 megawatts of renewable mid-merit capacity to Meralco while reducing dependence on imported fuels and helping shield consumers from volatile global energy prices.

Its ability to store daytime solar generation and release electricity during periods of high demand also addresses a major challenge of renewable energy by providing more dependable power and supporting grid stability.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the project demonstrates the Philippines’ ability to carry out renewable energy developments on a global scale.

“the MTerra Solar project is proof that the Philippines is capable not only of envisioning, but also of delivering.”

MGEN Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said the facility represents a major achievement for the country and the Filipinos who helped build it.

“What we inaugurate today will be the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility located in a single site. And it rises not in Texas, not in the Gobi Desert, but right here in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. This inauguration today was made possible not only by Meralco but by many other hands, other minds, and many hearts,” Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan exclaimed.

MTerra Solar Phase 1 has energized 1,373 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity and 825 MW of battery energy storage capacity, equivalent to 3,300 megawatt-hours.

The company said those capacities make it the largest operational integrated solar and battery facility developed on a single site worldwide.

Its maximum export capacity to the Luzon grid currently remains limited to 750 MW pending the completion of various works being undertaken with the grid operator.

The project has fully energized all 741 battery units, allowing the facility to deliver stored renewable electricity to the Luzon grid.

Following the completion of required grid tests, MTerra Solar is ready to fulfill its 600-MW mid-merit power supply agreement with Meralco.

The agreement is intended to provide Meralco customers with a dependable source of renewable energy that can respond to changing electricity demand throughout the day.

More than 2,000 MW direct current of solar panels had been installed under Phase 1 as of the end of June 2026.

The project also recorded more than 30 million work hours without a lost-time injury.

“MGEN has always believed that the energy transition must deliver not only cleaner power, but also reliable and affordable electricity for Filipinos. MTerra Solar demonstrates what is possible when vision, innovation, and collaboration come together. Beyond building one of the world’s most significant renewable energy facilities, we are helping build a stronger and more resilient Philippine energy system capable of supporting the country’s long-term economic growth,” said Emmanuel V. Rubio, President and CEO of MGEN.

The inauguration carried the theme “Araw ng Pilipino,” highlighting the participation of Filipino workers, communities, government agencies and private-sector partners in building the facility.

MGEN said the project reflects the Philippines’ ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure through cooperation among the government, private companies, host communities and thousands of Filipino workers.

Lucy Heintz, partner and head of energy infrastructure at Actis, said the project would contribute to energy security and improve visibility over future electricity costs.

“We are delighted to be working with the high quality MGEN team to energize 1,373 MW of domestic energy to the Philippines, reducing import dependence, improving resilience and accelerating energy security, while giving the government and industrial customers greater visibility over future power costs. It’s fantastic to see the Philippines leading the world in delivering such a solution.”

MTerra Solar is expected to play a significant role in meeting rising electricity demand by adding large-scale indigenous renewable energy capacity to the Luzon grid.

MGEN described Phase 1 as the lowest-cost mid-merit supply in Meralco’s energy portfolio.

The project will deliver 600 MW of renewable energy to Meralco, which the company said would help lower electricity costs, diversify its supply portfolio and reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel.

Its battery energy storage system can store electricity produced by the solar facility during the day and dispatch the power during peak-demand periods.

The storage system allows the facility to provide mid-merit power, or electricity that can be dispatched between round-the-clock baseload plants and more expensive peak-demand generators.

MGEN said the project supports the Philippine Energy Plan and the government’s goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

The company said MTerra Solar is also among the country’s largest energy infrastructure investments and is intended to support sufficient, affordable and reliable electricity for long-term economic growth.

The project has invested PHP 88.6 million in education, livelihood, public safety and community development programs in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan.

“MTerra Solar is designed to create shared value. Beyond delivering clean and affordable energy, we have so far invested Php88.6 million in education, livelihood, public safety, and community development to ensure the benefits of this project create lasting opportunities for the people of Nueva Ecija and Bulacan,” shared Dennis B. Jordan, President and CEO of MGEN Renewables and Terra Solar Philippines Inc.

The quotation retained the company’s original currency styling, while the reported amount is expressed as PHP 88.6 million.

Since work on Phase 1 began, the project’s community programs have benefited more than 973,511 individuals and 47 institutions.

Local residents have received technical training for renewable energy construction and operations, with many graduates later employed to support the project.

The project installed 260 solar-powered streetlights across host communities to improve road safety.

Rent-free marketplace spaces were also established for local entrepreneurs serving thousands of workers during peak construction.

The company trained and equipped 214 community traffic marshals and established 17 marshal posts at strategic locations.

Emergency response capabilities were expanded through the turnover of a fire truck and the construction of a fire substation in Gapan City.

MGEN said the facility would continue to support energy security, affordability and local economic opportunities as construction advances toward its full planned capacity.

MTerra Solar has also partnered with Central Luzon State University on agrivoltaics research examining how crops can be cultivated around and beneath solar panels.

The studies are expected to produce science-based recommendations aimed at supporting farmers’ livelihoods, strengthening food security and promoting sustainable land use.

The research could help address concerns that large renewable energy developments may compete with agriculture for land by testing whether energy generation and crop production can coexist on the same sites.