Solar Philippines on track to build 1 GW solar projects by 2021

Renewable energy firm Solar Philippines said Thursday it is on track to construct over one gigawatt (GW) of solar projects by 2021.

The solar projects are located in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac, the company said in a statement.

Citing data from the Department of Energy (DOE), Solar Philippines said its projects would comprise the first, second, and third largest solar projects in the country.

“These projects will nearly double the country’s total installed solar capacity as of 2020, and are equivalent to the power demand of approximately 10 million Filipinos,” it said.

By 2022, Solar Philippines said it expects these projects to become the largest single portfolio of solar projects in Southeast Asia.

While COVID-19 slowed approval of permits in 2020, the company expects a renewable energy-led economic recovery in 2021, spurred by DOE’s moratorium on new coal plants in the Philippines.

Solar Philippines said the 1 GW of solar projects are planned to create over 20,000 jobs during construction, which will last until 2022, and support government efforts to boost investments in the countryside.

To realize these projects, the company said it is bringing in partners and professionals in line with its new strategic direction.

The solar energy firm said it has already brought in partners to its operating solar farms in Calatagan, Batangas and Concepcion, Tarlac, and will use these existing operations to fuel its expansion plans.

Solar Philippines founder Leandro Leviste said the advances in solar power will encourage others to join the “solar bandwagon,” saying that “Hopefully not a single one of the country’s power companies will not be a fellow believer in solar energy by next year.”—AOL, GMA News