Chinese Firm to Construct Two Solar Power Projects in Luzon, Philippines

Manila — as part of the Philippines’ efforts to achieve its green energy objectives, a Chinese company is slated to build two solar projects in the region of Luzon.

According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, the company announced on October 17, during the Belt and Road CEO Conference in Beijing, that it has signed a general contract to construct a 304-megawatt solar power plant in Bolo, Labrador in Pangasinan, and a 49.50-MW Shizen Palauig Solar PV (photovoltaic) project in Zambales. Energy China also stated that 30 other projects were agreed upon at the event, with a total value exceeding USD10 billion. These projects are spread across 20 countries and cover a variety of sectors including wind power, energy storage, and gas power plants.

Energy China has positioned itself as a significant player in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), having signed deals with other BRI member countries, including the Philippines, amounting to over RMB500 billion (PHP3.8 trillion) in the last five years. The company focuses on constructing new ‘green’ landmarks aimed at improving community life and advancing high-quality BRI cooperation.

Chen Jiping, general manager of Energy China’s subsidiary China Power Engineering Consulting Group Co., stated in a renewable energy forum held in Manila on September 26 that the Philippines holds considerable potential in the renewable energy sector. According to Chen, the country is rich in wind and solar energy resources that are yet to be fully utilized.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his second State of the Nation Address on July 24, expressed that the Philippine government is aggressively pushing for renewable energy. The goal is to have renewable energy make up 35 percent of the power mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.