Nestled in the rolling hills of Tanay, Rizal, a new renewable energy project is taking shape— Alternergy Holdings Corporation’s (ALTER) 112-megawatt (MW) Tanay Wind Power Project. This wind farm is not just another addition to the Philippines’ growing green energy portfolio. It represents a strategic move to directly address one of the biggest challenges facing the country’s energy transition: grid interconnection delays.
The project is not just about generating clean electricity; it’s about paving a smoother, faster path for renewable energy to reach Filipino homes and businesses.
The country boasts ambitious renewable energy targets (35% by 2030) and strong investor interest, but one big challenge persists—new power plants are having a hard time connecting to the grid.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which holds a monopoly over the transmission sector, is overwhelmed with the sheer number of interconnection requests, creating a bottleneck that could slowdown progress.
“They are constantly being asked, and by law, they have to provide connectivity. In reality, they’re besieged from all over to interconnect,” ALTER Chairman Vicente S. Pérez Jr. told Power Philippines. The interconnection, he added, could take until 2033 or even 2035.
Taking a proactive stance, ALTER decided to build its own grid connection to ensure that the electricity generated by its Tanay Wind Power Project can start flowing into the grid before NGCP’s 500 kV Tanay substation is completed.
“We felt that we didn’t want to wait because we believe this administration will strongly push renewable energy. We ended up building our own as part of the project cost,” Pérez said.
ALTER is building a 33/500kV substation in Brgy. San Andres, Tanay and a 1-kilometer-long 500kV transmission line, allowing the wind farm to temporarily connect to NGCP’s existing 500kV San Jose-Tayabas transmission line. Once the 500 kV Tanay substation is completed, the Tanay Wind Power Project will switch to a direct connection to that new substation, for a more efficient and stable link.
“No matter how good the resource is, if it’s too far from the grid, the project is not viable. So ideally, we have team members scouting the country. Where is NGCP’s transmission line? We are examining the transmission infrastructure and substations—elements that previously received little attention,” Pérez said.
While NGCP works to accommodate the growing number of renewable energy projects, ALTER’s proactive approach—exemplified by its Tanay initiative—sets a precedent for future renewable energy developers seeking alternative solutions to connectivity delays. This highlights how innovative solutions can support energy security and accelerate transition to a cleaner future.
Advancing Renewable Energy and Boosting Local Economic Growth
With an expected generation of 112MW, the Tanay Wind Power Project is a significant investment in the country’s renewable energy infrastructure. It aims to supply clean electricity to thousands of households and businesses in Luzon, reducing carbon emissions and stabilizing the region’s energy supply.
The project, funded by a Php8 billion loan from BPI and Security Bank, is set for commercial operations by the end of the year. Pérez said the company is on track to complete the Tanay Wind Farm, along with two other projects, GEA-winning 64 MW Alabat Wind Power Project, and the 28 MW Solana Solar Project.
Apart from strengthening the grid, the Tanay Wind Power Project is expected to bring economic benefits not only to the municipality of Tanay but also to the entire Luzon region, creating job and investment opportunities during the construction and operational phases.
Pioneering the Future of Renewable Energy
The Tanay Wind Power Project is a showcase of innovation and resilience—key drivers in tackling structural barriers in the energy sector. By proactively addressing grid connectivity challenges, ALTER has not only ensured the project’s success but also set a blueprint for others to follow, helping accelerate the country’s transition toward energy security and sustainability.
The lessons from building the project—strategic planning, private sector initiative, and collaboration with government policies—will be critical in unlocking the full potential of renewables.
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