San Miguel Corporation (SPC) is advancing the development of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan by utilizing solar energy for its construction to turn it into a carbon-neutral infrastructure.
In a report by the Manila Bulletin, SMC Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang said that the corporation is currently constructing the solar plant ahead since it would be used for the construction of the airport.
The NMAI, which is expected to be functional in the first quarter of 2027, would run on 200 megawatts (MW) of baseload renewable energy (RE). Its energy source would comprise solar photovoltaics (PVs) as well as wind technology and battery energy storage systems.
As for solar, Ang said that the installations could increase up to 1,200 MW with the addition of energy storage to be able to achieve the 200 MW baseload capacity.
Furthermore, the first phase of the airport’s construction would only carry over a baseload capacity of 50 MW and its further development is expected to cover NMIA’s construction stage.
The chief executive explained that 50 MW would eventually require almost 300 MW of solar installations along with four-hour duration energy storage.
The goal, according to the corporation, is to not just modernize international airports but also to showcase the possibility that they can be sustainable and environmentally friendly as well.
