Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin visited the Makiling-Banahaw (MakBan) Geothermal Power Facility and the Cleanergy Center of Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., highlighting the site’s role in supplying clean and reliable power to Luzon for more than 40 years.
The 338.8-MW MakBan plant — one of the Philippines’ oldest and largest geothermal facilities — remains a major contributor to the Luzon grid and the country’s decarbonization goals. A battery energy storage system (BESS) now being built in Bay, Laguna will support MakBan and become the first geothermal-BESS hybrid in the Philippines once completed.
Garin was hosted by AboitizPower pesident and CEO Danel Aboitiz and Aboitiz Renewables president Jimmy Villaroman. During the visit, she was briefed on the company’s renewable energy projects within the broader 590-MW Tiwi-MakBan complex. Garin stressed that the DOE aims to work closely with the private sector to advance the country’s clean energy transition, saying the government’s role is not only to regulate but also to enable and support developers.
The Philippines is currently the world’s third-largest geothermal power producer, after the U.S. and Indonesia. Aboitiz Renewables operates a nationwide portfolio that includes geothermal, hydro, solar, and battery storage projects.
The visit also included a stop at the Cleanergy Center, an education hub promoting renewable energy awareness among students and local communities. Garin commended Aboitiz Renewables and its host communities for their partnership and encouraged continued collaboration to expand clean energy access.
The MakBan inspection forms part of Garin’s wider push to engage industry players as the government works toward the Philippine Energy Plan 2023–2050, including the target of reaching 50 percent renewable energy in the power mix by 2040.
