Citicore Power inaugurates new 18 MW solar plant in Bataan

MANILA, Philippines  – Renewable energy (RE) company Citicore Power today inaugurated its 18 Megawatt (MW) solar power project in Bataan, its second this year following the start of operations of another solar plant in Negros Occidental.

The start of Citicore Power’s Bataan solar power station comes on the heels of the inauguration of the first phase of its other 25-MW solar facility in Silay, Negros Occidental in late February. The firm also plans to add 10 MW to its capacity in the second half of the year.

Citicore Power said it expects to be awarded the Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) for both projects.

Citicore Vice President Manolo Candeleria said that the power facility will operate and inject power to the Luzon grid before the March 15 FIT deadline.

“Citicore is optimistic both the Bataan and Silay solar power plants will be awarded the FIT renewable energy incentive by the government. We have already submitted all the documentary requirements for the availment of the FIT,” Candeleria said.

At the same time, we have been coordinating non-stop with officials from the Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation,” he added.

Citicore power is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citicore holdings Investment Incorporated and sister company of construction firm Megawide.

Bataan plant

The new plant is located in the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) in Barangay Alasasin, Mariveles. The plant spans 37 hectares and was done under project company Next Generation Power Technology Corporation (NGPTC).

The facility is made up of over 68,500 photovoltaic (PV) modules and is expected to power 22,000 homes connected to the Luzon grid. 

Construction began in October 2015 by Megawide Construction Corporation.

The plant is expected to help avoid 13,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per year – equivalent to planting 600,000 trees over the life of the facility. 

Project funding for both sites was secured through the Land Bank of the Philippines with Primeiro Partners as financial consultants. 

“The almost-simultaneous completion of these two power plants shows that Citicore Power is aggressive and serious in completing its renewable energy portfoliosaid. Our vision is to become one of Southeast Asia’s leading renewable energy companies by 2020.” Candelaria said.

Bataan Province officials welcomed the new plant, saying the Citicore-led project created almost 300 jobs for residents in the area. 

“We hope that this is the beginning of an influx of the same green investments and the province is proud to partner with companies like Citicore Power,” said Bataan Governor Albert Garcia. – Rappler.com