Subic solar power project adds 72-MW capacity to Luzon grid

By Alena Mae S. Flores – March 5, 2024, 8:20 pm
from manilastandard.net

Emerging Power Inc. said Tuesday an additional 72 megawatts of solar energy capacity from its subsidiary Jobin-SQM Inc. (JSI) is now connected to the Luzon grid and commenced energization.

EPI said in a statement the expansion brings JSI’s installed and operational solar power capacity to 172 MW, making it one of the largest in the country coming from a single solar power generation plant.

JSI’s renewable energy generation asset is located in a contiguous area in Mt. Sta. Rita situated within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales.

“The additional capacity is using the 580-watt solar PV panels, thereby optimizing the generation capability within the available land area. The panels are arranged in a sprawling layout housing 14 medium voltage (MV) stations,” the company said.

It said the expansion project also includes the installation of a compact state-of-the-art substation.

The substation has smart features supporting advanced communications and remote operations control functions including faster response time in case of technical incidents.

The new substation servicing the 72-MW expansion connects via a new transmission line to the existing substation servicing the 100MW solar plant.

The combined capacity totaling 172 MW then runs through a 7.7-kilometer transmission line to the SBMA substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

“With this additional solar capacity in operation, EPI has increased its contribution towards the augmentation of the country’s renewable energy supply,” the company said.

EPI is the renewable energy arm of listed natural resources development firm Nickel Asia Corp., a diversified natural resources development company with five operating and three exploratory mines