Solar Philippines considers 5-GW solar plan at home

Solar Philippines is mulling over the installation of 5,000 MW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity in a drive to lower consumer rates in the country by 30% by replacing coal with solar power.

The company said on Sunday, as cited by local media, that it intends to build solar parks with battery storage instead of the planned coal power facilities, a move that is expected to bring PHP 100 billion (USD 1.98bn/EUR 1.74bn) in cost savings per year.

Solar Philippines’ president stressed on the fact that the country needs to lower power costs as domestic electricity rates are among the highest in the world, and on the need to abandon the common belief that solar is more expensive than coal. “Now with our 5,000-MW solar plan, and our first 24/7 solar-battery projects to be completed this year, we see no scenario where most planned coal projects will push through,” president Leandro Leviste said.

The solar developer intends to use PV panels made at its production plant in Batangas province. It has prepared a project plan with proposed locations and costs, details of which are to be provided “at a later time,” Leviste said. The plan has been submitted to local utilities.

(PHP 10 = USD 0.198/EUR 0.174)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!