With the goal to contribute to the renewable energy target, Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC) broke ground for its new 69 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant in Silay City, Negros Occidental. 

Citicore Solar Negros Occidental 2, which spanned 69 hectares, is part of the firm’s deliverables under the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) 2. By 2024, the power plant is expected to be completely operational, producing 100 MWp of gross installed capacity. 

“We support Negros Occidental, its steps towards the renewable energy transition. With the completion of this project, we will not only be able to augment the power generation needs of Negros Occidental and the Visayas grid, but also contribute to the growth of the province,” said CREC President and CEO Oliver Tan.

The energy firm’s very first venture in Negros Occidental, aptly named Citicore Solar Negros Occidental, had been fully operational since 2016 with an installed capacity of around 25 MWp. 

With this latest inclusion of the project, CREC’s installed generation capacity is expected to soar to 94 MWp. 

Additionally, Tan opined that Negros Occidental was able to accommodate an influx of RE projects as it could address environmental concerns on top of ensuring energy access, security, and self-sufficiency.

And in conforming to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Philippine Energy Plan, which aimed to increase RE share to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040, CREC looks to contribute around 1 gigawatt (GW) capacity of solar energy annually for the next five years.

“With more projects in the pipeline, CREC is committed to working with the DOE and local governments as we transition to more renewable sources of energy for the Visayas and our country,” said CREC Chairman Edgar Saavedra.

The Citicore Solar Negros Occidental 2  is part renewable energy (RE) capacity awarded during GEAP 2.