Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Inauguration of MTerra Solar Phase I

Thank you very much, Secretary Sharon Garin, for your kind introduction.

Of course, our birthday boy by the way, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan. [applause]

[Please take your seats.]

The officials from the different LGUs who have been involved in this grand project; officials and employees of Meralco PowerGen Corporation; partners from the private sector and all stakeholders.

Of course, I was just commenting to MVP sabi ko you must have special powers because you were able to convince the First Lady to join us, which is a rare occurrence, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. [applause] Ikaw pala, ikaw pala ‘yung malakas sa kanya, so if I need something from her, I will call you.

My fellow workers in government; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good afternoon.

Before anything else, once again allow me to greet Mr. MVP a happy birthday. [applause]

You have officially made it into the Expanded Centenarians Act, which now I am happy to announce you will receive PhP 10,000 from the government. [applause]

It is a simple but I hope meaningful token of appreciation for the invaluable contributions to our nation that you have made throughout the years.

But after seeing you yesterday in your hometown—even on your birthday—you found another opportunity to give back. In many ways, that same spirit brings us together as well today.

Less than two years ago, I had the opportunity — I’m told the exact count is 600 days. So less than two years ago, I had the opportunity to stand here as we broke ground for the Meralco Terra (MTerra) Solar Project—a moment that reflected our commitment to strengthening the country’s energy future.

Today, as we gather once again for the inauguration of Phase I, we demonstrate our will and our determination to ensure that our plans come into fruition.

This achievement comes at a time when the need to boost our energy sector has never been more apparent or more urgent.

For years, our economy has relied heavily on conventional sources of power. Last year alone, coal accounted for 57 percent of the total power generation mix in our country, while renewable contributed only about 25 percent.

Such an energy mix leaves us more vulnerable to fluctuations in global fuel prices and developments in the international market, as we have experienced in the last few months and it underscores the importance of diversifying our energy sources, and how we must be committed to moving that mix in the direction to favor renewables.

Recognizing this challenge, this Administration has worked closely with our partners to accelerate the development of new RE facilities.

This MTerra Solar Project stands as one of the clearest expressions of that commitment.

In fact, the Phase 1 has already reached about
91 percent completion and is expected to be fully commercially available by August of this year. On the other hand, the Phase 2 has commenced early this year, with expected completion by 2027.

Upon completion of both phases, this facility will be capable of delivering up to 3,500 megawatts peak of solar power to the grid. It is supported by 4,500 megawatt-hour of battery storage capacity.

These capabilities will help strengthen the stability of our power system while expanding the role of clean energy in our power generation mix.

Equally importantly, its impact will be felt in the daily lives of our people. Once fully operational, we expect this project to energize more than 2.4 million Filipino households while reducing carbon emissions by around 4.3 million metric tons a year.

Its contribution extends well beyond power generation alone. Over the next decade, the project is projected to generate nearly 23 billion pesos in financial benefits, while providing increased tax revenues and financial assistance to its host communities.

And as operations expand, we look forward to even greater opportunities for our people: more jobs, stronger local government revenues, and sustained programs that promote community development.

The progress we celebrate today forms part of a broader effort to transform our energy sector into one that is more resilient, more competitive, and better equipped to meet the demands of a growing economy.

That is why this Administration continues to encourage investments in renewables.

From July 2022 to May 2026, the Department of Energy has awarded 605 renewable contracts.

Earlier this year, the Department of Energy also launched the Ten (10) Year Green Energy Auction Program, which seeks to deliver 25 gigawatts of new renewable capacity from 2027 to [2035]. This is in consonance with our plan that we will be able to reduce by the year — we will be able rather to increase our renewable mix to about up to 40 percent by the year 2040.

Beyond expanding power generation, we are equally focused on strengthening the systems that support it.

We have invested in energy storage systems, increasing the country’s installed capacity from 93 megawatts as of July 2022 to now 845 megawatts as of May of this year.

All of this enhances the reliability of our power supply, improve the integration of renewable energy into the grid, and help ensure that Filipino consumers benefit from a more stable and efficient energy system.

At the same time, we are modernizing the country’s transmission network. Through the Smart and Green Grid Plan, we are preparing our grid to accommodate additional renewable energy capacity and respond to the evolving requirements of the power sector.

These initiatives demonstrate that securing our future energy requirements that support our institutions, the systems, and partnerships that allow investments to serve the Filipino people for many, many generations to come.

None of these accomplishments of course would not have been possible without the collaboration of the private sector, our host communities, and every stakeholder who has contributed their expertise and their industry to this pursuit.

Indeed, the MTerra Solar Project is proof that the Philippines is capable not only of envisioning world-class infrastructure, but also delivering it.

As we move forward, let us continue to work with the same sense of purpose that has brought us to this milestone here today.

Nawa’y magsilbing paalala ang proyektong ito na ang pag-unlad ay bunga ng pagtutulungan, pagkakaisa, at pagsisikap para sa kapakanan ng mas nakararami.

Sama-sama nating itatag ang isang Bagong Pilipinas na may sapat na enerhiya upang mapalago ang ating ekonomiya, matupad ang pangarap ng ating mga mamamayan, at makapagbigay ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan sa susunod na henerasyon.

Once again, congratulations to everyone who was involved in this grand project.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.

Happy birthday again, MVP. [applause]

— END —