MTerra Solar starts feeding Luzon grid

Meralco PowerGen Corp. said its affiliate Terra Solar Philippines Inc., or MTerra Solar, has energized the MTerra Solar project as a generator, marking the point when the facility went live and began delivering electricity to the Luzon grid.

The company said the milestone marks the first electron from MTerra Solar sent to the Luzon grid, coming just 16 months after the project’s groundbreaking.

This initial phase is set to supply up to 85 megawatts of mid-merit power to the grid, helping meet peak daytime demand and marking the project’s first delivery to Manila Electric Co.

MGEN said the project will continue ramping up output in the coming months in close coordination with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, in line with its System Impact Study and operational plan.

“This is a defining moment for MTerra Solar. With the facility now operational, we have started a bigger journey – ramping up generation and steadily delivering capacity that strengthens energy security and advances the Philippines’ self-reliance. This milestone comes at a critical time as we continue to expand the country’s energy capacity,” said MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio.

“MTerra Solar exemplifies Filipino ingenuity and pride – built by Filipinos for the Filipinos. The project is now delivering reliable and clean energy which will power progress for industries and communities. We remain in close coordination with the NGCP to ensure that project is safely integrated into the grid,” said MTerra Solar President & CEO Dennis B. Jordan.

The energization of the project as a generator marks a key step in expanding domestic power capacity and supporting the country’s energy independence, a central issue for the Philippines as it seeks to reduce reliance on imported fuel and build more renewable generation.

Once fully completed, MTerra Solar is expected to generate 3,500 MWp of solar photovoltaic capacity paired with a 4,500 MWh battery energy storage system.

The company said the facility is projected to supply clean energy to about 2.4 million households.

It is also expected to avoid an estimated 4.3 million tons of carbon emissions annually, which MGEN said is equivalent to taking more than 3 million gasoline-powered vehicles off the road.

MGEN said Phase 1 remains on track for completion this year, while Phase 2 is already under construction.

The company said the project is expected to steadily increase capacity as it moves forward, while supporting the Philippines’ renewable energy targets of 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

Terra Solar Philippines said the MTerra Solar Project is set to become the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility. The project is a joint investment between SP New Energy Corp. and Actis.

The company said the project spans four municipalities across Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. It said development will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed in 2026 and the second phase a year later.

Beyond power generation, the company said the project will also contribute to carbon reduction by avoiding 4.3 million tons of emissions annually.

MGEN, for its part, described itself as an energy company with a diversified portfolio across the Philippines and Southeast Asia, covering thermal and liquefied natural gas, solar, and battery energy storage, while also exploring nuclear energy for the future.

The company said it also operates a retail electricity supplier that provides tailored energy solutions for qualified contestable customers.

MGEN said it operates through Global Business Power Corp., also called MGEN Thermal, MGEN Renewable Energy Inc., and MGEN Gas Energy Holdings Inc.

It also holds stakes in PacificLight Power, an LNG facility in Singapore, in SP New Energy Corp., and a 40.2% interest in an integrated LNG facility in Batangas, Philippines.

As of January 2026, MGEN said its portfolio represented a combined net saleable capacity of 5,069.7 megawatts from both traditional and renewable sources.