President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s support for renewable energy initiatives following a meeting with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) power unit MGen and Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power at Malacañang Palace, the Philippine News Agency reports.

The meeting with business leader Manuel V. Pangilinan and ACWA Power chair Mohammad Abunayyan centered on ongoing investments in clean energy, including the MTerra Solar facility.

“Ang mga proyektong tulad ng MTerra Solar facility ang kailangan natin upang matiyak na may malinis, abot-kaya, at maaasahang enerhiya ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino (The projects like the MTerra Solar facility are what we need to ensure that every Filipino family has clean, affordable, and reliable energy),” the President said in a Facebook post Thursday night.

“Patuloy ang suporta ng pamahalaan sa mga proyektong nagtutulak sa mas malinis, mas matatag, at mas abot-kayang enerhiya para sa Bagong Pilipinas (The government continues to support projects that promote cleaner, more stable, and more affordable energy for the New Philippines),” he added.

MGen and ACWA Power earlier signed a strategic agreement on June 4 to develop solar and other renewable energy (RE) projects in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

MGen currently manages 4.95 gigawatts of diversified energy assets in the country, while ACWA Power has a global development portfolio of 78.8 gigawatts. The Saudi-based firm is also recognized as the world’s largest private water desalination company and a pioneer in green hydrogen.

What opportunities or challenges do you see for large-scale RE ventures like this in the Philippine grid? Join the discussion with your insights.

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Photo credit: Presidential Communications Office