ACEN Corporation plans to allocate more than PHP 80 billion for capital expenditures (capex) in 2026, a substantial increase from the PHP 55 billion-plus it spent last year, the company confirmed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Around PHP 60 billion of this year’s spending will be directed to the Philippines, focusing on solar and wind projects as well as battery energy storage systems (BESS), the company confirmed. The capex is expected to support the addition of approximately 1 gigawatt (GW) of new capacity, bringing ACEN’s operational portfolio in the country to roughly 5 GW by year-end.

Supporting details from a recent industry report show that ACEN currently has 4.3 GW of operational capacity out of a 7-GW portfolio. The company expects an additional 700 MW to 1 GW to become operational this year, with the balance of projects scheduled for 2027. About 35% or roughly 2.4 GW of ACEN’s portfolio is in the Philippines.

The Philippines-focused capex will primarily fund four projects, including the 363-MW Palauig Solar in Zambales, ACEN’s second-largest solar farm in the country. 

“In the Philippines, we have about 300 megawatts operating this year. In Australia, we have around 200 megawatts. In India, I think it’s a few hundred as well. So, in total, we’re almost at one gigawatt,” the report quoted ACEN CEO Eric Francia as saying.

ACEN is also investing in BESS to complement its solar capacity. “There is already an oversupply of solar in the country. BESS is a way of stabilizing and balancing supply and demand. We also expect to do more energy storage in markets outside the Philippines,” Francia added.

The company’s Philippine renewable portfolio supports the government’s target of 35% renewable energy in the country’s power generation mix by 2030. 

With ACEN ramping up investments in solar, wind, and battery storage, how do you see this shaping the Philippines’ renewable energy landscape and grid stability over the next few years?

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