The first solar power investment of MGen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen) has officially started commercial operations after it secured the green light of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
The project proponent—PowerSource First Bulacan Solar, Inc. (PFBSI)—secured a clearance to operate the 50-megawatts (MW) solar plant from the regulators last May 12.
The P4.25-billion solar plant—BulacanSol—in San Miguel, Bulacan now provides clean and renewable power to the Luzon grid.
“As the first operational project of MGreen, BulacanSol is a very important milestone that drives us to aggressively pursue more projects that will help us achieve our target of building a renewable energy portfolio with a capacity of up to 1,500MW in the next five to seven years,” PFBSI Chairman and Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) President Rogelio L. Singson said.
PFBSI is 60 percent owned by MGreen and 40 percent owned by PowerSource Energy Holdings Corp.
MGreen is the renewable energy unit of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), which in turn is the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
BulacanSol now plays a significant role in One MERALCO Group’s long-term sustainability agenda.
Meralco Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said BulacanSol is a “modest step” into renewables but a significant one for the company. “We look forward to many more investments in renewables, particularly solar, as we attempt to achieve that balance in fuel sourcing, which will ultimately be biased towards renewables.”
In June 2019, Meralco announced that it would join the shift to renewable energy and it will adopt sustainable practices for the One MERALCO Group. “Today, we realize the very first renewable power plant—the first of several that One Meralco has lined up for investment and sourcing,” commented Meralco President Ray Espinosa.
Singson said BulacanSol signifies the commitment of One MERALCO and PowerSource Group to help ensure energy security through clean, cost-competitive, and sustainable power.
“We pledge to continue building more environmentally conscious projects as part of our commitment to a sustainable energy transition for the future generations.” The officials acknowledged the strong support BulacanSol received from national government agencies including the Department of Energy, ERC, and the Department of Public Works and Highways; as well as from the local government unit of San Miguel led by Mayor Roderick Tiongson.
Construction activities for the plant started in December 2019 following the issuance of notice-to-proceed to SUMEC Complete Equipment & Engineering Co. Ltd., the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the project.
BulacanSol in February reached 1.5 million safe man-hours without lost time incident, reflecting the company’s commitment to safety and security in all its activities.
“We share this achievement with our employees, engineers, contractors, and partners in the government and private sector who worked together to bring this project into reality. With their perseverance, determination and hard work, we are finally going to see the light,” said PFBSI President and PowerSource Chairman Aloysius B. Colayco.
The project pushed through notwithstanding hurdles encountered including delays brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and a string of weather disturbances that limited movements at the power plant site.
“Not even the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns we experienced during the construction period hindered us from completing this renewable project,” Ricardo G. Lazatin, PFBSI Vice Chairman and PowerSource President and CEO, said.
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