ACEN, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, continues to accelerate the Philippines’ shift toward a low-carbon future with the official integration of San Manuel Solar, its first solar facility in the province of Pangasinan.
Following ACEN’s strategic acquisition of Sinocalan Solar Power Corp. in late 2022, the 60-megawatt (MW) facility now serves as a cornerstone of the company’s renewable energy portfolio in Northern Luzon. The project reinforces ACEN’s commitment to the national goal of achieving a 35% renewable energy share in the country’s power mix by 2030.
Located in the municipality of San Manuel, the solar farm utilizes 108,752 ground-mounted photovoltaic panels. The facility is engineered for high efficiency, featuring a dedicated 1.8-kilometer transmission line that connects directly to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) via the 69-kilovolt San Manuel Substation.
Key Project Milestones:
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Energy Output: Generates approximately 94 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity annually.
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Household Impact: Capable of powering roughly 55,000 homes.
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Environmental Benefit: Offsets more than 58,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Beyond infrastructure, ACEN is dedicated to fostering “just and inclusive” transitions for its host communities. In partnership with the Department of Education, the company has implemented several social impact programs in Pangasinan:
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Brigada Eskwela: Supporting the refurbishment of local school facilities.
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Brigada Pagbasa: Enhancing literacy programs and providing essential learning supplies to students. “San Manuel Solar is more than just an engineering milestone; it represents our resolve to strengthen energy security in Luzon while empowering the communities that host us,” the company stated. “As we scale our investments in Northern Luzon, we remain focused on ensuring that the transition to clean energy leaves no one behind.”
