MTerra Solar Starts Commercial Operations as MGEN Advances Massive Renewable Energy Project

 

Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), the power generation arm of the Pangilinan-led Meralco Group, has reached a major milestone in its renewable energy expansion with the start of commercial operations at the first phase of the MTerra Solar project.

The P200-billion development is being built across Nueva Ecija and Bulacan and is designed to become the world’s largest integrated solar facility. Its first phase is now supplying 600 megawatts alternating current (MWac) of mid-merit capacity under a power supply agreement with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

The project secured the final certificate of approval from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, clearing the way for its connection to the national transmission network. The certification confirms that the facility is ready to operate safely and reliably within the country’s power grid.

MTerra Solar is being developed on a scale intended to address both energy demand and the intermittency challenge associated with renewable generation. The facility will combine a 3,500-MW solar farm with a battery energy storage system capable of holding 4,500 megawatt-hours.

The battery component is particularly significant because it allows electricity generated by the solar facility to be stored and dispatched when needed. In practical terms, the system is designed to make solar power more flexible rather than limiting its usefulness to periods of strong sunlight.

Once fully completed next year, the project is expected to generate enough electricity to serve roughly 2.4 million households.

MGEN inaugurated Phase 1 in July, marking a rapid progression from the project’s groundbreaking in November 2024 to commercial operations in less than two years.

The rollout will continue in the coming months, with an additional 250 MWac expected to enter commercial service under the same power supply agreement with Meralco.

MGEN president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said the achievement reflects the coordinated efforts of thousands of workers and stakeholders involved in developing the large-scale facility. He also highlighted the role of cooperation between government institutions and private companies in advancing major national infrastructure projects.

For Meralco and MGEN chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, the project represents a significant step in reshaping the country’s energy landscape. By pairing large-scale solar generation with battery storage, MTerra Solar is positioned not only as a renewable energy investment but also as part of a broader effort to strengthen energy security, support economic activity and improve the resilience of the Philippine power system.

With additional capacity still scheduled to come online, MTerra Solar is set to become a major component of the country’s transition toward a more diversified and renewable energy mix.