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The province of Isabela gets an employment boost as construction ramps up on the 40-megawatt direct current (MWDC) Limbauan Solar Power Project, with PetroGreen Energy Corp.—through its subsidiary BKS Green Energy Corporation—projected to generate 500 to 600 jobs at peak activity.
In line with this, PGEC and BKS partnered with the local government of San Pablo and project contractors Schema Konsult Inc., Trina Solar, and Powerway to conduct a hands-on solar panel installation training for residents of Barangay Limbauan, San Pablo on March 18, 2025.
(Also read: PetroGreen Starts Construction of Its First Solar Farm in Region 2)
Reskilling residents
The reskilling initiative formed a key part of PGEC’s broader strategy for the solar project, aiming to build a capable local workforce for the growing renewable energy sector.
PGEC Assistant Vice President for Environment and Community Relations Yrel V. Ventura explained that the skill-building program is on its fourth run following earlier sessions in Luzon and the Visayas.
“It is part of our commitment to enhancing local talent and promoting green jobs in the region,” she said. “But more than the job generation, we are proud that our training will provide new skill sets, enhancing the participants’ employability in the solar and renewable energy sector.”
Three hundred locals from communities surrounding the Limbauan Solar Power Project took part in the one-day training session, which combined classroom lectures with practical exercises on solar panel installation, safe handling, and transport.
The activity concluded with the awarding of completion certificates, reinforcing the initiative’s goal of improving job readiness in the clean energy field.
(Also read: Benguet Communities Receive P6M Boost from Hedcor)
Community empowerment
Local officials, including Isabela Mayor Antonio N. Miro Jr., were in attendance and acknowledged the efforts of PGEC, BKS, and their partners in investing in community development. Mayor Miro welcomed the initiative as a meaningful step toward empowering San Pablo’s workforce and positioning the area as an emerging player in the renewable energy landscape.
Meanwhile, Barangay Limbauan Chair Babylin Pagarigan recognized the training as a valuable opportunity for residents to gain practical skills and build confidence in taking part in the area’s first solar power initiative.
“I feel proud that all of us will be part of something that will benefit our community and the environment. I’m glad that BKS also considered involving the women in our barangay,” she stated.
Last March, BKS officially broke ground on the project, poised to deliver clean electricity to around 33,000 households once operational.
Valued at ₱1.9 billion, the project will feature 52,640 solar panels. Upon its targeted completion by year-end, the facility is projected to produce as much as 59 gigawatt-hours of green energy annually. This output is expected to displace approximately 31,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Recognizing its role in driving regional energy capacity and sustainability goals, the Department of Energy (DoE) granted the Limbauan project the status of an Energy Project of National Significance in November 2024—a designation highlighting its contribution to economic growth and the country’s clean energy transition.
Sources:
https://tribune.net.ph/2025/04/13/petrogreen-to-provide-600-green-jobs-in-isabela
https://powerphilippines.com/petrogreen-bolsters-re-leadership-with-isabela-solar-training