Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC) has successfully energized the 69-Megawatt peak (MWp) Citicore Solar Negros Occidental 2 Solar Power Plant, reinforcing power supply in the Visayas grid ahead of the critical peak summer season.
The energization marks another milestone in its ambitious 5GW in 5 years roadmap, reaffirming its leadership in the country’s renewable energy sector and its commitment to supporting the government’s clean energy transition, a statement from CREC said.
“Delivering this project ahead of the summer peak demonstrates our ability to deliver dependable capacity when the system needs it most,” according to CREC President and CEO Oliver Tan.
“As one of our largest solar plants in Visayas to date, it demonstrates that our growth strategy extends beyond Luzon and anchored in strengthening energy security in the Visayas,” Tan added.
The project, which spans 69 hectares in Barangay E. Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental is designed for future expansion up to 100MWp total capacity. This new facility is built on CREC’s existing footprint in the province, complementing the operational 25MWp CS Negros Occidental 1.
As a project under the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) 2, the plant will deliver clean, reliable power to the Visayas grid.
“This is our 6th out of 12 GEA-2 Projects energized, another 4 plants ready for energization by April, with the last 2 plants to be energized in the next couple of months, completing all GEA-2 projects we’ve won,” Tan further said.
Recently, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin personally inspected CS Negros Occidental 2 together with CREC President and CEO Oliver Tan, commending the company for beyond timely delivery and continued commitment to the national energy transition goals.
CREC said it will also expand its pioneering AgroSolar Initiative in the facility, allotting the land underneath solar panels to grow high-value crops to maintain the agricultural intent of the solar land.
This not only helps the country’s food security but also provides livelihood to local community farmers. Tan said, adding that Negros Occidental has long been both an agricultural heartland and a renewable energy hub.
By pairing solar generation with crop production, we demonstrate how energy infrastructure can co-exist with agriculture. CREC can deliver projects that are on time, at scale, and with a positive impact to the Filipino people,” he further said. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds photo by tvds)