MGEN outlines solar, gas investments at ASEAN energy forum

PASIG CITY — Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) outlined its investments in solar power, battery storage, and gas-fired generation at the 2026 ASEAN Energy Business Forum, where its executives called for clearer permitting rules and coordinated transmission planning.

The discussions focused on how to deliver new generation projects while maintaining reliable supply as Southeast Asia expands renewable energy use.

MGEN, the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co., said its diversified portfolio supports regional efforts to improve energy security, affordability, and sustainability.

The forum ran Oct. 5–9 in Metro Manila alongside the 44th ASEAN Energy Ministers Meeting, bringing together policymakers, regulators, investors, industry executives, and development partners.

Its theme, “Clean Energy Unlocked: A Stronger ASEAN,” complemented the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together.”

MGEN identified Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin as the forum chair.

During the opening ceremony, the Department of Energy commended MGEN for its investment in Singapore-based subsidiary PacificLight Power’s 670-megawatt hydrogen-ready combined-cycle gas turbine project.

PacificLight broke ground on the SGD 1.2 billion facility on Jurong Island on Sept. 28, with operations targeted for 2029.

According to MGEN, it will be Singapore’s first gas-fired power plant integrated with a large-scale battery energy storage system.

The plant is designed to co-fire up to 30% hydrogen by volume from the outset, with the aim of eventually operating on 100% hydrogen.

MGEN executives participated in forum sessions covering investment, renewable energy, thermal generation, and energy security.

At the plenary session, “The Philippines – Game Changer: Why the Philippines Matters Now,” MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio cited policy reforms, renewable energy resources, and large-scale project development as reasons to invest in the country.

Rubio called for better alignment between national and local requirements, clearer permitting timelines, and transmission planning that anticipates new generation capacity.

He also urged wider deployment and better coordination of decentralized energy solutions to improve project execution.

MGEN Thermal President and CEO Arnel Santos discussed the role of dependable thermal generation in the session, “Strengthening Energy Transition: Oil and Gas Value Chain and Thermal Power.”

Santos said existing plants must continue operating safely, efficiently, and reliably as ASEAN adds more variable renewable energy while sustaining economic growth.

He cited MGEN Thermal’s Best-in-Class Transformation and Business Stewardship initiatives as efforts to improve asset performance and support a stable power system.

Dennis B. Jordan, president and CEO of MGEN Renewables and MTerra Solar, discussed the requirements for large renewable energy projects during “The ASEAN Clean Energy Market – Size, Growth, and Where Capital Can Flow.”

He drew on MTerra Solar, whose full development is designed to combine 3,500 megawatts-peak of solar capacity with 4,500 megawatt-hours of battery storage.

Megawatts-peak measures rated solar generating capacity, while megawatt-hours measures the amount of energy batteries can store.

The project requires a dedicated 13-kilometer, 500-kilovolt transmission line, along with coordination on permits, land development, financing, local government requirements, and community engagement.

Jordan also discussed MTerra Solar at Huawei’s sixth Philippines Grid-Forming Workshop and Next-Generation Energy Storage Launch on the sidelines of the forum.

MTerra Solar Phase 1 began commercial operations on Aug. 26, 2026, according to MGEN, less than two years after the project broke ground in November 2024.

Jordan said projects of this scale could bring more competitively priced clean energy into the system and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

LNGPH President and CEO Yari A. Miralao discussed natural gas’s role in energy security and system flexibility.

MGEN holds a 40.2% stake in LNGPH, which operates an integrated liquefied natural gas terminal and gas-to-power complex in Batangas.

Miralao cited the return of indigenous Malampaya gas to the Ilijan power plant as an important development for domestic energy security.

MGEN said LNGPH had also added two full-containment LNG storage tanks, each with a capacity of 60,000 cubic meters, to increase storage and operational flexibility.

At its exhibition booth, MGEN displayed an MTerra Solar battery energy storage system prototype and presented its investments in thermal generation, natural gas, renewable energy, and storage.

The company said these investments support its regional energy strategy.