Philippines approves 62-MW solar farm in Bataan

The Philippine Department of Energy has approved Basic Energy Corp. to start work on a new solar power project. The project, called the Mariveles Solar Power Project, will have a capacity of 62 megawatts and will be located in Bataan. Basic Energy announced on Wednesday that it received a Certificate of Authority (COA) from the DOE. This certification allows the company to proceed with the necessary planning and development for the solar facility, which will cover about 72 hectares. Next, Basic Energy will obtain approvals from national agencies and local government units. They must also conduct a system impact study to check if the local power grid can handle the project's electricity output. The COA supports renewable energy initiatives, allowing companies like Basic Energy to secure permits and start procurement for the project. The company is looking forward to advancing this project and will provide updates as it progresses. In December, Basic Energy's board approved plans for more solar projects in areas like Negros Occidental, Bataan, and Pangasinan. They aim to develop approximately 500 megawatts of solar capacity by 2030. Additionally, the company plans to invest around $760 million in wind projects across several regions.