ACEN sees bright prospects for Cagayan solar farm

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala-led ACEN Corp. is seeing bright prospects with the commercial launch of its massive solar farm in Cagayan, further strengthening its foothold in Luzon.

As the first renewable energy project in the province, the 133-megawatt Cagayan North Solar has been delivering clean power to the Luzon grid since last year.

“As demand for electricity continues to grow, this project plays a vital role in strengthening the country’s energy supply through reliable and sustainable generation,” ACEN president and CEO Eric Francia said.

Sitting across 115 hectares of flat land in the municipality of Lal-lo, the solar facility currently generates around 188 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually.

The solar farm powers around 45,000 homes in Cagayan and displaces about 128,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per year.

ACEN owns 60 percent of the project, while its joint venture partner, CleanTech Renewable Energy 4 Corp., owns the remaining 40-percent stake.

“The Cagayan North Solar power plant is more than just an energy source; it’s a symbol of progress,” said Salvador Antonio Castro Jr., president and CEO of CleanTech Global Renewables Inc.

“For host communities, it means new jobs, better infrastructure, and a sustainable future. With every ray of sunlight captured, we illuminate lives and power a nation toward a greener tomorrow,” Castro said.

During the construction stage, ACEN said, the project produced around 1,000 green jobs, spurring local employment and economic activity in Cagayan.

Together with the local government, ACEN and CleanTech have also initiated community development programs to provide access to education and public infrastructure.

As an independent power producer, CleanTech is engaged in the development, acquisition and operation of renewable projects across Southeast Asia.

ACEN, meanwhile, is the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group. It boasts a global generation portfolio of about seven gigawatts spanning operational, under-construction and committed projects.