MTerra Solar Phase 1 begins commercial operations

The declaration of commercial operations follows from the issuance of the Final Certificate of Approval to Connect (FCATC) by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), confirming that the facility has met the necessary requirements to safely and reliably connect and operate 950 MWac of solar capacity and 825 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) within the national grid. The teams carried out the required tests in the past weeks, paving the way for the project’s grid approval and Phase 1 commercial operations.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of Meralco and Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), commented: “This is a significant step towards the future of energy in the Philippines. By combining solar power with battery storage at an unprecedented scale, we’re demonstrating how renewable energy can strengthen energy security, support economic growth, and build a more resilient and sustainable power system for our country.”

The start of commercial operations follows the inauguration of MTerra Solar Phase 1 in July 2026, which celebrated the energisation of 1373 MWac of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity and 825 MW (equivalent to 3300 MWh) of BESS, making it at that time, the world’s largest integrated solar PV and BESS facility on a single site.

The facility’s Phase 1 progression from groundbreaking in November 2024 to the inauguration in July 2026, and now to its commercial operations, spanning less than two years, represents one of the most significant renewable energy achievements in the country. Another 250 MWac capacity to be fulfilled under the same PSA is set to be brought into commercial operations in the upcoming months.

Dennis B. Jordan, President and CEO of MGEN Renewables and MTerra Solar, noted: “MTerra Solar is proof that renewable energy can be developed at unprecedented scale while meeting the rigorous requirements necessary to operate safely and reliably within the grid. The issuance of the FCATC reflects the hard work of our people, the trust of our investors, most especially Actis, and our strong partnership with NGCP under the guidance and support of our regulators – the DOE and the ERC. The close co-ordination among the agencies, system operator, and project teams was critical in delivering this achievement.”

MTerra Solar, a joint investment of MGEN and Actis, combines vast solar generation capacity with the world’s largest BESS. Unlike a conventional solar facility, MTerra Solar can store a significant portion of the electricity it produces. This enables the project to provide more consistent and dependable power while helping support the stability of the national grid, making it possible for large scale renewable energy to meet the Philippines’ growing demand for reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity.

Emmanuel V. Rubio, President and CEO of MGEN, shared: “MTerra Solar is no longer simply a vision or a project under construction – it is now delivering power to the Filipino people. Reaching commercial operations reflects the determination, discipline, and exceptional work of thousands of people who helped bring this landmark facility to life. It also demonstrates what can be achieved when government and the private sector work together towards a shared national purpose.”

Rahul Agrawal, Managing Director and Head of SEA Energy, Actis, concluded: “Given the scale of the project, taking it from groundbreaking to commercial power for Phase 1 in under two years is a huge achievement and testament to the operational capabilities of MGEN and Actis. With MTerra Solar’s commercial operations underway, we see renewables increasingly taking centre stage in the Philippines, providing clean, domestic, and secure power as energy demand rises.”

MTerra Solar forms a key part of MGEN’s growing renewable energy portfolio and its commitment to supporting the Philippines’ energy transition. The project is expected to deliver 3500 MWp of solar PV capacity paired with 4500 MWh of BESS, further strengthening the country’s renewable energy capacity. Actis, a leading growth market infrastructure investor has worked together with MGEN, to jointly develop MTerra Solar. The US$600 million investment made by Actis represents the Philippines’ largest foreign direct investment for a greenfield infrastructure project to date.

Its scale will make it a cornerstone of MGEN’s renewable energy portfolio and a major contributor to the Philippines’ transition towards a cleaner and more secure energy future.

As one of the country’s largest private infrastructure investments, MTerra Solar supports the Philippine Energy Plan and the government’s goal of increasing renewable energy’s share in the country’s power generation mix to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

More than a renewable energy project, MTerra Solar represents the scale of investment and innovation required to power the country’s continued economic development. The start of its commercial operations brings the Philippines closer to an energy system that is more diversified, resilient, sustainable, and prepared for the future.

For more news and technical articles from the global renewable industry, read the latest issue of Energy Global magazine.

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