The first phase of the MTerra Solar project in the Philippines has successfully completed its initial grid synchronization and energization to the Luzon grid, marking a key milestone for what is set to become the world’s largest solar-plus-storage development upon completion. Project developers expect the facility to begin exporting power before the end of the month.
The achievement follows the project’s initial switch-on to the Luzon grid late last week, confirming both system readiness and a secure grid connection. Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) shared the update, noting that the milestone advances the rollout of the large-scale renewable energy installation.
Located on the island of Luzon, the MTerra solar project is designed to integrate 3.5 GW of solar capacity with a 4.5 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS). Once fully completed, it is expected to stand as the world’s largest integrated solar-plus-BESS facility. Development is being carried out in two phases. The first phase is planned to include approximately 2.5 GW of solar generation capacity alongside 3.3 MWh of BESS.
Redi Allan Remoroza, Head of Transmission Planning at the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, described the grid milestone as “an important step in establishing the transmission interface for one of the country’s most significant clean energy projects.”
Rowena Guevara, Undersecretary from the Philippines’ Department of Energy, said the switch-on initiates the energization process that will allow MTerra Solar to start delivering electricity to the grid. “Once synchronisation is completed, the plant can begin supplying firm and dependable capacity through the combination of solar power and battery energy storage, another first for the country,” Guevara said.
By the end of this month, the solar-plus-storage project aims to have 250 MWac of solar capacity and 112.5 MWh of battery energy storage capacity operational, including the export of 85 MW of constant power to the grid. “This is in preparation for a ramp up in its capacity in the following months,” MGEN’s statement says. “All of these developments are being delivered in less than 15 months since groundbreaking.”
As of the end of January, installation progress had reached 1,288 MW of solar capacity, positioning MTerra Solar as the largest PV array in the Philippines. Additionally, 622 BESS units had been installed by the close of last month.
Completion of the first phase is slated for later this year. Work finalized so far includes the energization and cut-in of a 500 kV substation along the Nagsaag–San Jose 500-kV Line 2. This followed approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission of the Philippines in October, granting permission for the development of dedicated transmission facilities and connection to the Luzon grid.
MGEN also confirmed that construction activities for phase two are underway, beginning with the project’s first pile installation.
Separately, the Philippines announced plans last week to auction 25 GW of renewables by 2035.