Singapore-based renewable energy developer Levanta Renewables has reached financial close and issued a notice to proceed for its 166-megawatt-peak (MWp) Barotac Solar Power and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Iloilo, marking a key milestone for one of the renewable energy projects awarded under the government’s latest Green Energy Auction (GEA-4).

In a statement on June 4, Levanta said the project will consist of a 166-MWp ground-mounted solar photovoltaic facility integrated with an 80-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system in the Visayas.

“The achievement of Financial Close marks an important milestone for the Barotac Solar Power and BESS project. We are pleased to move into the execution phase and appreciate the support of our financing partners and project stakeholders,” said Pramod Singh, CEO of Levanta Renewables.

The company said financing for the project has been secured from two banks, although it did not disclose the lenders or the amount involved.

In April, Levanta awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract to China Energy Engineering Group (CEEC) for the development of the solar-plus-storage facility.  

The Barotac solar and storage facility was among the projects awarded a power purchase agreement under the Department of Energy’s GEA-4, which sought to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy capacity in the country.

Levanta said the project is targeting commercial operations by mid-2027.

Once completed, the facility is expected to add new solar generation capacity to the Visayas grid while the battery component will help manage intermittency and support grid reliability.

The project also expands Levanta’s footprint in the Philippine renewable energy sector as the company builds a broader portfolio of solar, wind and energy storage assets across Southeast Asia.

Levanta, which is wholly owned by global infrastructure investor Actis, said the Barotac project forms part of its growing regional renewable energy portfolio.

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