Daanbantayan solar project to help meet energy demand

CEBU, Philippines —  Faced with rapidly increasing power demand, the Cebu provincial government is pushing forward with a multi-million dollar 150-megawatt peak (MWp) solar power project in Daanbantayan, with construction targeted to begin within the year.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro confirmed the province’s partnership with Acciona Energia Philippines, saying the project is a key response to Cebu’s growing energy needs and its continued reliance on imported power.

The move comes as Cebu experiences an estimated 150-megawatt increase in electricity demand annually. The rising demand has placed pressure on the province’s energy supply.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano said the project has already entered its implementation stage, with preparations focused on securing remaining permits.

“Actually, it’s implementation stage already. In fact, we are now in the process of acquiring all the necessary permits so civil works can start,” Durano said in an interview.

Durano said the Department of Energy (DOE) has already awarded the project to Acciona, which has complied with national requirements, including financial guarantees.

“The DOE awarded the project already to Acciona. They have all the necessary DOE [requirements]. Ang sa land side na lang kay the provincial government is the landowner,” he said.

He added that the provincial government is currently processing the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) conversion, a requirement for large-scale developments on agricultural land.

“It’s really a requirement for any big development… if you are in an agricultural area, you need DAR conversion—it’s part of the process,” Durano explained.

The conversion would effectively classify the site as not covered under agrarian reform, allowing the project to proceed.

Project site and scale

The solar power plant will be located in Daanbantayan, covering around 180 hectares of provincial government land.

Durano described the project as a major investment, with an estimated cost of $150 million, based on a standard rate of $1 million per megawatt.

“This is a big project… about 150 million US dollars,” he said.

Initial activities are already underway, including soil testing in preparation for civil works.

“Ang parts of civil works happening right now is they’re doing soil testing,” Durano added.

Legal dispute

Despite progress, the project remains entangled in a legal dispute involving land ownership.

Durano said around 40 to 50 percent of the project area is being contested by former landowners who questioned the provincial government’s acquisition of the property through tax forfeiture.

“Naay mga landowners nga nikiha sa provincial government… ilang cause of action is dili sakto ang proseso pag-forfeit,” he said.

The cases were inherited by the current administration and remain pending in court.

Durano clarified that the court has denied a petition for an injunction, allowing the project to proceed despite the ongoing cases.

“Yes… the court also denied the petition for an injunction,” he said.

He added that the provincial government has assured landowners it will comply with whatever decision the court eventually issues.

“Whatever the decision of the court, tumanon ni Gov,” Durano stressed.

Meeting of minds

The administrator said discussions with landowners and their legal representatives have led to a “meeting of minds,” enabling the project to move forward.

“There is already a meeting of minds… asta sila gusto sad sila (landowners) nga madayun ang project,” he said.

Under the arrangement, both sides agreed to let the project proceed while awaiting the court’s final ruling.

“If the court decides nga dili sakto ang proseso, then the provincial government will correct it,” he added.

Durano admitted that Baricuatro initially had reservations about continuing the project due to the legal issues and opposition from property owners.

“To be honest, Gov Pam was unsure kung ipadayon ni niya nga project tungod kay naa gud daghan nga nagreklamo,” he said.

However, the province’s worsening power situation ultimately influenced the decision to proceed.

“We are always on yellow alert… naa lay maguba nga transmission, mo-orange, mo-red dayun ta,” Durano explained.

The governor’s decision was anchored on the need to secure Cebu’s energy supply amid economic growth and rising demand.

“Makuwang gyud ni og walay puno,” Durano said, referring to the province’s power capacity.

Baricuatro earlier emphasized that Cebu’s development requires reliable and sustainable energy sources.

“Our demand for power is rising—fast,” she said during a recent energy forum.

Renewable energy push

The solar project forms part of the province’s broader strategy to transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix.

“We are not waiting—we are acting,” Baricuatro said.

She noted that the partnership with Acciona is a concrete step toward reducing dependence on imported power.

The project has been certified as an Energy Project of National Significance (EPNS) by the DOE, granting it priority status. This classification allows faster processing of permits and underscores the project’s importance to the country’s energy goals.

Durano said the certification simplifies compliance requirements.

“It’s just a matter of going through the process… gi-certify naman ni sa DOE nga project of national urgency,” he said.

Background

The project traces its roots to a 2023 agreement between the provincial government, during the administration of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, and Acciona Energia Global.

It later became part of the national government’s Green Energy Auction Program, where Acciona secured a long-term power supply contract.

The development had stalled due to legal challenges and uncertainties, prompting concerns that the investor might withdraw.

“Acciona really wanted to pull out already because wa sila kahibaw unsay buhaton nila sa mga kaso,” Durano disclosed.

The officials remain optimistic that full construction will begin soon.

“Actually, we’re in the process already,” Durano said. — Sandara Laurente, CTU-Tuburan Intern/MRM (FREEMAN)