MORE Electric and Power Corporation and MabuhayPower Holdings Inc. have started construction of a 6.6-megawatt solar farm in Barangay Cag-an, Anilao, Iloilo, marking the first phase of a larger renewable energy complex planned to reach over 36 MW, Panay News reports.

The groundbreaking, held on June 4, brings together utility executives, local officials, and project developers as the Visayas continues to grapple with tightening supply conditions and recurring yellow alerts.

The initial 6.6-MW facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. According to project proponents, the solar farm is designed to harness Iloilo’s high solar resource potential and deliver electricity to more than 5,000 households annually.

The project is also projected to cut carbon emissions by around 180,000 tons over a 20-year period, positioning it as part of broader decarbonisation efforts in the province’s power mix.

Speaking during the ceremony, MabuhayPower Executive Chairman Sherwin Hing said the development is intended to maximize local renewable resources while contributing to energy reliability and sustainability goals. He added that the facility is expected to provide both environmental and economic benefits, including employment opportunities during construction and operations.

MORE Power Vice President Niel Parcon joined the groundbreaking alongside local government officials and industry partners, underscoring utility-sector participation in expanding renewable energy capacity in Western Visayas.

Developers said the Anilao project forms part of a phased expansion aimed at strengthening grid resilience amid rising electricity demand in Iloilo and surrounding areas.

The project adds to a growing pipeline of solar investments in the Visayas, where distribution utilities and private developers are increasingly turning to renewables to address supply volatility and long-term demand growth.

How significant is this 36-MW solar complex in easing Visayas supply constraints, and what does it signal for future utility-led renewable expansion in the region?

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