Manny V. Pangilinan-led Global Business Power Corporation (GBP) has begun construction works on its first solar power plant.
Located inside the Philippine Communications Satellite Corporation’s (PHILCOMSAT) 135-hectare property in Baras, Rizal, the 115 megawatt-peak (MWp) project of GBP subsidiary PH Renewables, Inc. (PHRI) is expected to commence commercial operations in 2022.
The project also is GBP’s first venture in the Luzon mainland. GBP, a leading power generator in the Visayas, also has power generation facilities in Mindanao and Mindoro amounting to 1,091MW.
“We have worked together with our partners to aid the growing demand for cleaner and affordable power supply. In response to the government’s push for renewable energy, we have persevered to finally commence construction of this timely project to fuel the nation’s progress,” GBP President Jaime Azurin said in a statement.
“Although the journey towards this day has been extra challenging because of the global pandemic and movement restrictions, we remain in high spirits and committed to commence operations in 2022, in time for post-pandemic recovery,” he continued.
China Energy Engineering Group, Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute Co., Solenergy Systems, and China Energy Engineering Co., Ltd. were commissioned to provide the facility’s design, engineering, procurement and construction.
MERALCO said that GBP’s entry into the renewable energy (RE) space is aligned with the group’s long-term sustainability agenda, which includes RE project development and sourcing.
“We aim to transition to cleaner fuel sources by obtaining 1,500MW of our power requirements from renewable energy in the next five years,” said MERALCO President and CEO Atty. Ray Espinosa.
Back in May, MGen began operating its 50MW solar farm in San Miguel, Bulacan.
