MTerra Solar Phase 1 Begins Commercial Operations With 600 MW Solar-Storage Capacity In Philippines

MTerra Solar Phase 1 has officially started commercial operations, marking a major milestone in the Philippines’ clean energy development. The project began commercial service on August 26, 2026, delivering 600 megawatts (MWac) of mid-merit capacity under its Power Supply Agreement with Meralco.

The commercial launch follows the project’s receipt of the Final Certificate of Approval to Connect from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The approval confirms that the facility successfully completed required safety, technical, and grid connection tests. It allows 950 MWac of solar capacity and 825 MW of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity to operate safely within the national grid.

The project was initially inaugurated on July 14, 2026, following the energization of 1,373 MWac of solar capacity combined with 825 MW of battery storage, equivalent to 3,300 megawatt-hours (MWh). Developed at a single site, the facility is positioned as the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage installation.

Construction progress has been rapid, with the project moving from groundbreaking in November 2024 to commercial operations in less than two years. A further 250 MWac of capacity is expected to begin commercial operations under the same power supply agreement in the coming months.

MTerra Solar is jointly owned by Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) and international infrastructure investor Actis. Actis invested US$600 million in the project, representing the Philippines’ largest foreign direct investment in a greenfield infrastructure project to date.

The integration of large-scale solar generation with battery storage allows the project to store electricity and dispatch it when required. This capability can help provide a more reliable power supply while supporting grid stability as the Philippines increases its use of renewable energy.

Project leaders said the milestone demonstrates the potential of renewable energy combined with energy storage to strengthen energy security and support economic development. They also highlighted cooperation between regulators, investors and grid operators in meeting the technical requirements for grid connection.

MTerra Solar supports the Philippines’ long-term clean energy goals under the Philippine Energy Plan, which targets a 35% renewable energy share by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

Once fully completed, the project is planned to provide 3,500 MWp of solar photovoltaic capacity alongside 4,500 MWh of energy storage, creating a large-scale renewable power system designed to improve the country’s energy resilience and reduce dependence on conventional power sources.