MTerra Solar has begun commercial operations for 600 MWac of mid-merit capacity under its power supply agreement with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), moving one of the Philippines’ biggest renewable energy projects from construction into revenue-generating service.
Commercial operations started on Aug. 26 following the issuance of a Final Certificate of Approval to Connect by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), clearing the facility to safely and reliably connect and operate 950 MWac of solar capacity and 825 MW of battery energy storage within the national grid.
The approval followed a series of tests conducted in recent weeks to demonstrate the facility’s readiness for grid connection and commercial operations.
The milestone marks a significant step for MTerra Solar, a joint investment of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) and Actis, as it begins supplying contracted power while using battery storage to make solar generation more predictable.
“This is a significant step toward the future of energy in the Philippines. By combining solar power with battery storage at an unprecedented scale, we’re demonstrating how renewable energy can strengthen energy security, support economic growth, and build a more resilient and sustainable power system for our country,” Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of Meralco and MGEN, said.
The commercial launch comes just weeks after the project was inaugurated on July 14, when it marked the energization of 1,373 MWac of solar photovoltaic capacity and 825 MW, equivalent to 3,300 MWh, of battery storage.
From groundbreaking in November 2024 to inauguration in July 2026 and commercial operations in August, the project has moved through major development milestones in less than two years.
Another 250 MWac covered by the same power supply agreement is expected to enter commercial operations in the coming months.
MGEN Renewables and MTerra Solar President and CEO Dennis B. Jordan said the grid approval demonstrated that renewable energy could be deployed at scale while meeting stringent requirements for safe and reliable grid operations.
The project’s large battery system allows it to store part of its solar output and release electricity when needed, helping address one of the key limitations of solar generation and supporting grid stability.
MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio said the project had moved beyond construction and was now delivering power to consumers, reflecting the contribution of thousands of workers and the cooperation among government agencies, the system operator, and private-sector partners.
With commercial operations now underway, MTerra Solar shifts from proving that the project can be built at unprecedented scale to demonstrating how large solar-and-storage facilities can contribute to the country’s growing need for reliable and sustainable power.
