Landbank OKs P800 million for Palawan microgrids

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Land Bank of the Philippines has granted an P800-million financing facility to Archipelago Renewables Corp. (ARC) to build hybrid renewable energy microgrids across 14 underserved barangays, aiming to expand clean energy access in Palawan.

In a statement, Landbank said the project would establish 16 off-grid microgrids and 175 kilometers of distribution network to 7,100 households, more than 300 small businesses and vital community facilities within the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) franchise area.

The hybrid systems will integrate solar photovoltaic technology, battery energy storage and diesel backup to serve over 30,000 residents.

“This initiative goes beyond building infrastructure; it powers opportunity. By combining clean solar energy with innovative financing, we are strengthening communities, supporting local enterprises and accelerating inclusive growth in underserved areas,” Landbank president and CEO Lynette Ortiz said.

Ortiz, WEnergy Global CEO Atem Ramsundersingh, ARC president Quintin Jose Pastrana and Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Corp. (MCPHC) treasurer Jose Antonio Gozun formalized the financing agreement on June 22. Landbank executive vice president Charlotte Conde and first vice president Ann Marijell Ong were also present.

ARC, a special-purpose company established to develop and operate renewable and hybrid energy systems, is backed by a consortium consisting of MCPHC, CleanGrid Partners Pte. Ltd. and WEnergy Global Pte. Ltd.

“We are proud to build and expand this robust foundation with Landbank, one that represents the largest private sector venture in off-grid electrification, beginning with our host communities in Palawan, Quezon and Cebu,” Pastrana said.

ARC’s microgrid portfolio supports broader efforts to scale up electrification in underserved areas nationwide while reducing dependence on fossil-fuel-based generation and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.

Present as witnesses were Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara and Ambassador of The Netherlands Marielle Geraedts.

“WEnergy Global taps into the Dutch Knowledge infrastructure to bring the best of design to work for the off-grid communities. The company is a two-time award winner of the Dr. Albert Winsemius Award in Singapore for its planning and design work of off-grid electrification in the Philippines,” Geraedts said.