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Citicore Solar Pangasinan Inc. (CSPI), a subsidiary of Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC), has filed for approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to build a dedicated transmission facility for its 90-megawatt (MW) Sta. Barbara 1 Solar Power Project in Pangasinan.
The proposed P176.19-million interconnection will link the solar farm to the Luzon grid through a three-phase 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line connected to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) Balingueo Substation.
CSPI is seeking provisional authority to commence construction promptly, aiming to develop and operate its own plant switchyard and transmission line. “The said three-phase 69-kV line is approximately 500 meters away from the intended connection point. The dedicated facility project will be owned by CSPI,” the energy firm explained.
CSPI has been actively pursuing the necessary permits to kickstart its solar project, capitalizing on the country’s renewable energy (RE) laws designed to boost clean energy. The company emphasized the government’s commitment to accelerating the commercial operation of RE developers.
“The issuance of a provisional authority for the development and ownership of the dedicated facility project is necessary so that the [solar] project’s generated power becomes readily available for public use,” it added.
(Also read: ACEN Grants P30M Funding Boost to Pagudpud Wind Project)
Project completion
CSPI highlighted that the project will be fully funded without passing any extra costs onto consumers. The plant switchyard is estimated at P159.6 million, with the transmission line valued at P16.58 million, bringing the total cost of the point-to-point facility to approximately P176 million.
CREC plans to partner with NGCP for the operation and maintenance of the dedicated facility. It has also shortlisted MCC-Citicore Construction, Inc. as a potential contractor for supplying equipment, materials, and services.
As a successful bidder in the 2023 Green Energy Auction Program, CREC’s Pangasinan solar project was recognized by the Department of Energy (DoE) as an energy project of national significance, qualifying it for fast-tracked permits.
The solar farm is set to begin operations by 2026.
(Also read: Currimao, Ilocos Norte to Host 70-MW Solar Power Project)
Targeting 5GW by 2028
As part of its strategy to reach 5 gigawatts (GW) of RE capacity by 2028, CREC plans to roll out its first GW of energy initiatives this year. Additionally, the company is set to launch its second 1-GW project pipeline in the same period.
CREC, along with its subsidiaries and joint ventures, oversees a diverse range of RE projects, including power development operations and retail electricity supply services.
Currently, the company boasts a total installed capacity of 285 MW from its solar facilities across the Philippines.
The company recently reported an 11% rise in net income, driven by robust electricity sales, which helped increase its bottom line from ₱910 million to ₱1 billion compared to the previous year.
Sources:
https://powerphilippines.com/citicore-seeks-erc-approval-to-link-90mw-pangasinan-solar-to-grid/
https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/10/crec-seeks-erc-nod-to-develop-facility-for-solar-grid-link