SMC Global Light and Power Corporation (SGLPC), part of the San Miguel Group, is looking to expand its proposed solar farm in Malita, Davao Occidental, aiming to feed the local grid by 300 megawatts (MW).
In a filing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the company proposed to amend its environmental compliance certificate to increase the project's capacity to 300 MW from the originally planned 95 MW.
The P11.5 billion solar farm will cover 506.2255 hectares and use 447,772 solar panels and 76 central inverters.
The company plans to develop the project in phases. Construction of the first phase is scheduled to begin by the third quarter of 2026, with full commercial operation targeted by the fourth quarter of 2028.
The project acquired the capacity under the fourth round of the Department of Energy's Green Energy Auction Program, a government initiative that auctions renewable energy capacity from sources such as ground-mounted solar power.
“Renewable energy remains a key pillar of the Philippine government's low-emission development strategy, which aims to address climate change, ensure energy security, and expand access to clean energy,” the company said.
The company said the project supports the country's renewable energy transition and can help shore up energy supplies as electricity demand increases.
The solar project is scheduled for public scope on March 17. The activity is the initial stage of the environmental impact assessment process, during which the project proponent will present an overview of the development and collect feedback from stakeholders.
SGLPC is a subsidiary of San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMGP), which is owned by Ramon S. It is the power generation arm of Ang-led San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
SMGP is one of the largest power producers in the country, with a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, coal, hydroelectric power and battery energy storage systems.
As part of its renewable energy program, the company aims to complete the first phase of solar projects in Davao, Bulacan and Isabela with a combined capacity of about 2,450 MW by 2029. Sheldin Joy Talavera