BBM unveils first phase of MTerra Solar Project

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated last week the first phase of the MTerra Solar Project in Nueva Ecija, marking a major milestone in the country’s transition to renewable energy. 

The facility is expected to begin supplying electricity to the Luzon grid by September.

Dubbed as the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility, the 3,500-hectare project spans the municipalities of Gapan, General Tinio, Peñaranda and San Leonardo in Nueva Ecija, as well as San Miguel, Bulacan.

Once fully completed, MTerra will have a total capacity of 3,500 megawatt peak (MWp) supported by a 4,500 megawatt-hour (MWHr) battery energy storage system. The project is expected to provide clean electricity to about 2.4 million households while avoiding an estimated 4.3 million tons of carbon emissions each year.

According to developer Terra Solar Philippines, the first phase covers 2,500 MWp of solar capacity and 3,300 MWHr of battery storage across around 2,500 hectares. It is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

The second phase will add 1,000 MWp of solar capacity and 1,200 MWHr of battery storage over approximately 1,000 hectares. It is targeted for completion by the middle of next year.

Speaking at the inauguration, Marcos said the project comes at a crucial time as the country works to strengthen its energy sector. He said the facility would help improve power reliability while accelerating the shift toward cleaner energy sources.

“These capabilities will help strengthen the stability of our power system while expanding the role of clean energy in our power generation mix,” the President said. He added that the project’s benefits would also be felt by millions of Filipino households through a more reliable and sustainable power supply. TRACY CABRERA