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Singapore-based Vena Group has started construction on two large-scale solar power projects in Ilocos Norte that are expected to strengthen the country’s renewable energy capacity and support the government’s drive to improve energy security amid rising global fuel uncertainties.
Vena Group’s Astra Solar Power Project in Currimao and Opus Solar Project in Paoay were both certified under the government’s Green Lane program, allowing faster processing of permits and regulatory approvals. Together, the developments are expected to generate around 380 megawatt-peak (MWp) of solar capacity and provide clean electricity to an estimated 565,000 households annually.
The Board of Investments (BOI) said the projects reflect ongoing efforts to move approved investments into actual operations through streamlined coordination among government agencies and local authorities.
Two Major Solar Facilities
The Astra Solar Power Project, developed by Astra Solar Energy Corp., covers around 52 hectares in Barangay Paguludan-Salindeg in Currimao, Ilocos Norte. The project carries an investment cost of about ₱3.76 billion.
While BOI data placed the facility’s capacity at 74.989 megawatts, Vena Group identified the project as an 80.6-MWp solar development. Once completed, it is projected to generate approximately 142 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy annually, enough to supply electricity to around 120,500 households.
The project is also expected to prevent about 95,400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year, which Vena Group said is equivalent to planting roughly 1.5 million trees.
Meanwhile, the larger Opus Solar Project in Paoay spans about 190 hectares across the villages of Bacsil and Mumulaan. BOI identified the development as a 416.025-MWp project with an investment value of ₱20.541 billion, while Vena Group described it as a 300-MWp facility.
The project is expected to provide clean energy to around 445,000 households annually and avoid between 349,000 and 444,400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, based on figures released by project proponents and government agencies.
Groundbreaking and time capsule-laying ceremonies for the Astra and Opus projects were held on May 5 and May 6, respectively.
Green Lane Support
The BOI said the projects advanced through the assistance of the One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI), which helped facilitate permitting requirements and coordination with local government units, regulatory agencies, and project proponents.
BOI Investment Assistance Center Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla said the agency continues to support investors from pre-development to implementation to ensure strategic projects move forward efficiently.
“These projects reflect the BOI’s continued efforts to translate approved investments to operational projects by accelerating coordination, improving regulatory responsiveness, and supporting investors from pre-development to implementation,” Fondevilla said.
The Green Lane initiative was established under Executive Order No. 18 to expedite and automate permit processing for high-impact investments, particularly in strategic sectors such as renewable energy.
As of April 30, the BOI said Vena Group had secured 15 Green Lane-certified projects in the Philippines with combined investments exceeding ₱240 billion.
Energy Transition
To support construction, Vena Group secured financing from both local and international lenders. The company obtained a ₱2.7-billion green project finance facility from Security Bank for the Astra Solar Project and a $210-million green loan from seven global financial institutions for the Opus Solar development.
Vena Group chief operating officer Juan Mas Valor said the projects would contribute not only to cleaner energy generation but also to local economic activity.
“We are proud to see how our investments continue to create local jobs, support community aspirations, and drive the Philippines’ energy transition forward,” Valor said.
Vena Energy Philippines head Samrinder Nehria added that the projects demonstrate the value of collaboration between local and international stakeholders in accelerating renewable energy deployment.
The projects come as the Philippines intensifies efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependence on imported fuel. The country’s energy sector has faced heightened pressure following volatility in global oil markets linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In March 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency to address supply vulnerabilities and rising energy costs.
Local officials who attended the groundbreaking ceremonies included Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos, Vice Governor Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc, and Currimao Mayor Edward Quilala.
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