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Brix Lelis - The Philippine Star
June 7, 2026 | 12:00am
The approval advances PGEC toward realizing its planned 98.2-megawatt (MW) Panitan Solar Power Project, which is targeted to begin commercial operations by 2028.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — Yuchengco-led PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC) is moving a step closer to the construction phase of its utility-scale solar farm in Capiz after securing an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).
The approval advances PGEC toward realizing its planned 98.2-megawatt (MW) Panitan Solar Power Project, which is targeted to begin commercial operations by 2028.
The ECC issuance also affirms the company’s compliance with environmental and pre-development requirements for the project, a winning bidder in the government’s fourth green energy auction round.
Developed by PGEC unit EcoSolar Energy Corp., the planned facility is poised to become the largest solar facility in the Yuchengco Group’s renewable energy portfolio.
Yrel Ventura, PGEC assistant vice president for environment and community relations, said Panitan Solar is expected to provide much-needed additional capacity to the Visayas grid, which has been plagued by recurring yellow and red alerts.
A yellow alert is raised when power reserves fall to low levels. If conditions worsen, it escalates to a red alert, which is hoisted when supply can no longer meet consumer demand.
Beyond boosting the region’s power supply, Panitan Solar is projected to bring economic benefits to Capiz by generating jobs and advancing community development initiatives.
Another key feature of the planned project is its agrivoltaics component, which combines solar power generation with agricultural production to support both food and energy security.
“Capiz government leaders, Panitan municipal officials and local stakeholders endorsed the project, citing its significance and potential impacts as the province’s first utility-scale solar power facility,” Ventura said.
PGEC, a joint venture between Yuchengco-led PetroEnergy Resources Corp. and Japan’s Kyuden International Corp., still needs to fulfill the remaining pre-development requirements before construction can begin.
The company is also awaiting the completion of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ upgrade of the 138-kilovolt Panitan substation.
