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MGreen, the renewable energy subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen, has launched a 19.8-MWac solar power plant in Barangay Pesa, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. MWac (megawatts alternating current) refers to the output capacity after the direct current (DC) generated by the solar panels is converted to alternating current (AC) for grid use.
MGreen’s solar project is the first in the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Auction 2 program to be completed, finishing at least six months earlier than planned.
While the initiative is expected to meet the rising energy demands of around 20,000 homes and businesses, it also advances MGen’s target of developing 1,500 MW of renewable capacity by 2030.
MGreen President and CEO Dennis B. Jordan emphasized that the Bongabon solar facility goes beyond energy production. It is set on “creating opportunities, reducing our carbon footprint, and setting a new standard for renewable energy initiatives in our country.”
Projected to lower greenhouse gas emissions by over 19,000 tons of CO₂ annually, MGreen Bongabon Solar achieves a reduction equivalent to the carbon absorption of at least 211 tree seedlings cultivated for a decade, based on the Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.
(Also read: Urgent Appeal for Nuclear Expansion in the PH)
Beyond providing green energy
As with MGen’s other energy projects, hiring skilled residents is a priority to ensure the community directly benefits from the project’s economic impact.
Mayor Ricardo Padilla expressed appreciation for the initiative and its positive impact on residents. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo dahil ang mga taga Pesa ay magkakaroon ng mga trabaho. Iyon ang mahalaga sa amin (We are grateful for the job opportunities you’ve given to the residents of Barangay Pesa. This matters to us), he said.
In addition to Bongabon’s local officials, representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) attended the inauguration. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) was also present to oversee the project’s seamless and secure integration into the power grid.
DOE Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan underscored the project’s lasting benefits for the host community, noting that the local barangay would benefit most. He also stressed the importance of maintaining renewable energy efforts, saying, “We want to make sure that the project you have installed will continue for at least the next 20 years.”
Aligned with the country’s energy goals
Edward Neri, Officer-in-Charge Chief of the DOE’s Solar Energy Management Group, emphasized how the project supports the nation’s energy objectives, stating, “We acknowledge the role of this facility in fostering energy independence and reducing our carbon footprint.”
Meanwhile, ERC Director Sharon Montañer reinforced this point, highlighting that the Bongabon Solar project demonstrates how private sector efforts support the Green Energy Auction (GEA) program, helping expand the country’s clean energy capacity.
With its Bongabon solar plant now operational, MGreen advances the Philippines’ renewable energy growth. This achievement supports the shift to cleaner, more sustainable power and strengthens energy security.
This year, MGreen plans to add 85.2 MWac of solar power, launching a new plant in Cordon, Isabela, expanding Baras, Rizal’s facility, and completing Phase 1 of the MTerra Solar project in Nueva Ecija, set to be the world’s largest solar and battery storage system.
(Also read: P200-B Solar Farm Aims to Be the World’s Largest)
Sources:
https://business.inquirer.net/507398/mgen-activates-nueva-ecija-solar-farm
https://tribune.net.ph/2025/02/19/mgreen-powers-up-19-mw-n-ecija-solar