Terra Solar seals EPC deal with another Chinese firm
By Lenie Lectura – December 3, 2024
from Business Mirror
Terra Solar Philippines Inc. (TSPI) has tapped another Chinese firm to construct a portion of its planned 3,500-megawatt (MW) solar project with 4,500 MW hours (MWh) of battery energy storage system (BESS) valued at P200 billion.
On Monday, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) announced it signed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with the Power Construction Corporation of China Ltd. (Power China) along with its affiliates.
TSPI is a subsidiary of SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) which, in turn, is controlled by the Pangilinan Group through MGreen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen).
MGreen is the renewable energy development arm of Meralco Power Gen Corp. (MGen), the power generation arm of Meralco.
Power China will handle the development of the east section of the MTerra Solar Project. This area includes Brgy. Makabaklay in Gapan, Brgy. Pias in General Tinio, and Brgy. Callos in Peñaranda, all located in Nueva Ecija. This section accounts for 1,050 MWp of the total capacity of the MTerra Solar Project. The contract covers warranty, defect resolution, and the implementation of operational and maintenance protocols to ensure long-term reliability and success of the project.
A statement from the company said the partnership with Power China underscores TSPI’s commitment to deliver MTerra Solar efficiently, safely, and on-time.
“We sign this EPC agreement with Power China recognizing their expertise, exceptional track record, and unwavering commitment to excellence–we know that they will help us realize our bold ambition,” said MGen President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio.
Power China is a globally recognized leader in the field of planning, design, and construction of electric power infrastructure with presence across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Its track record includes the delivery of complex and large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the 540MW Kauswagan Coal-Fired Power Plant, 1,320MW Dinginin Coal-Fired Power Plant, and the Dumanjug Converter Station of the Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project, among others.
“MTerra Solar serves as our bold step towards ensuring a sustainable energy future for the Philippines–and with Power China as our partner, we are well on our way to achieving our vision of a cleaner energy future for the Philippines,” said TSPI President Dennis B. Jordan.
TSPI recently signed a similar contract with China Energy Engineering Group Co. Ltd. (Energy China). Rubio had said the contract with Energy China involves one block where the BESS will be located.
Energy China will guarantee a seamless, turnkey delivery of key components for the project. It will also oversee all aspects, including procurement, design, engineering, permitting, manufacturing, testing, logistics, and on-site delivery.
The MTerra Solar power project is designed to address the surging demand for electricity and the pressing need to shift to renewable and sustainable sources of energy. Its first phase covers 2,500 MW.
The project will be located in five towns—Gapan, General Tinio, Peñaranda, and San Leonardo all in Nueva Ecija, and San Miguel, Bulacan.
Upon completion, MTerra Solar is expected to supply clean energy to approximately 2.4 million households and avoid carbon emissions by an estimated 4.3 million tons annually—equivalent to removing over 3 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the roads every year.
