The Department of Energy (DOE) and Samal Solar Renewable Energy Corporation officially commissioned the Samal Solar Renewable Energy Project on July 1, 2025. This marks a key milestone in the country’s push toward a more sustainable and green energy future.

Located in Samal, Bataan, the solar facility is now delivering 41.92 megawatts of clean and reliable electricity to the Luzon grid. The project is aligned with achieving the government’s target of increasing the renewable energy share in the country’s power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030. In a strategic move that aims to reduce the Philippines’ carbon emissions while strengthening national energy security.

Energy officials highlighted that the project offers more than just clean power. It also plays a critical role in uplifting local communities, especially residents of Barangays Gugo and San Juan, by generating jobs, enhancing skills, and expanding livelihood opportunities.

Construction of the solar plant began in 2024 and provided employment to over a thousand workers. Beyond the construction phase, the project is expected to generate long-term jobs related to operation management and maintenance. It is also helping build local capacity through training programs developed in coordination with local government units and educational institutions.

“This Solar Project is a testament to the transformative power of renewable energy,” said Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Mylene C. Capongcol during the commissioning ceremony. She emphasized the importance of sustainable and inclusive progress in the energy sector. She notes, particularly, how renewable energy projects can serve as vehicles for both environmental and economic development.

The DOE reiterated its call for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to accelerate renewable energy development and ensure that its benefits are felt across the country. The agency emphasized that projects like the Samal Solar Plant not only contribute to the clean energy transition but also empower local communities in meaningful ways.

As of April 2025, there are 1,392 active renewable energy contracts in the Philippines, with a total installed capacity of 7.05 gigawatts. Of these, 515 contracts are for solar energy, thus contributing 2.56 GW to the national grid.

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