Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), through its affiliate Terra Solar Philippines Inc. (MTerra Solar), has energized the first 250 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity, marking the project’s first contribution to the country’s power supply amidst ongoing global fuel market volatility.

The milestone allows the facility to operate as a generator and export up to 250 MW of power to the grid, which helps ease supply constraints and support electricity demand during a period of heightened system pressure.

Besides the solar capacity, MTerra Solar has also activated the first tranche of its battery energy storage system (BESS), which can deliver up to 450 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy to the grid at night. This represents the largest operational battery storage facility currently available in the Philippines.

MGEN said the phased energization enables the early delivery of capacity while the project is still continuing to undergo development. This helps address near-term supply requirements while advancing the country’s transition to cleaner energy sources.

“Reaching this milestone reflects the strong execution, collaboration, and dedication of our teams and partners. More importantly, it underscores the role of projects like MTerra Solar in helping secure the country’s energy future at a time when reliability and affordability are under increasing pressure,” said MGEN Renewables and MTerra Solar President and CEO Dennis B. Jordan.

The Department of Energy (DOE) welcomed the development, saying the additional solar and battery capacity strengthens the country’s energy security and supports efforts to reduce dependence on imported fuel sources.

“Every megawatt of domestic capacity that we bring into the grid strengthens our ability to withstand external shocks, protect consumers, and preserve system reliability,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.

Once fully completed, the MTerra Solar project is expected to deliver up to 3,500 megawatt-peak (MWp) of solar capacity paired with 4,500 MWh of battery storage, supplying clean energy to around 2.4 million households.

The project is being developed in phases, with the first phase on track for completion this year and the second phase already under construction.

Beyond expanding supply, the facility is expected to contribute to environmental sustainability by avoiding approximately 4.3 million tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing millions of gasoline-powered vehicles from the road.

As the Philippines continues to navigate global fuel price volatility, developments such as MTerra Solar highlight the growing role of large-scale renewable energy and storage projects in strengthening energy security and reducing reliance on imported fuels.

Can large-scale solar and battery projects like MTerra Solar help shield the Philippines from global energy shocks?

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