Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), through its affiliate Terra Solar Philippines Inc. (MTerra Solar), announced a significant construction milestone for the MTerra Solar project, with 778 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels now installed on-site. This achievement not only exceeds the project’s target of 750 MW for this stage but also establishes MTerra Solar as the largest solar PV installation of its kind in the Philippines to date. Once completed, the facility is anticipated to be the world’s largest integrated solar PV and battery energy storage system.
“MTerra Solar stands as a clear example of how we can shape the country’s energy future through strong partnerships and a shared vision,” said Dennis B. Jordan, President and CEO of MTerra Solar and MGEN Renewable Energy.
“With 778 MW of solar PV capacity now installed, we are making real progress toward delivering cleaner and more sustainable power for Filipinos. This milestone reflects the hard work of our teams on the ground, the support of our government partners, and the trust of the communities we serve.”
This rapid progress has been achieved in just eight months since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony for MTerra Solar in November 2024, underscoring the project’s accelerated development and strong momentum.
As of the end of June, overall project progress for Phase 1 stands at 54 percent, signifying substantial advancements in the construction and development of the integrated PV and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) plant, which includes a 500-kiloVolt (kV) transmission line that will connect it to the Nagsaag-San Jose Transmission Line.
The project has mobilized over 9,500 workers at its peak, recording more than 7.5 million safe manhours, highlighting the immense scale and complexity of the construction efforts. MTerra Solar is a critical contributor to the Philippines’ ambitious goal of achieving a 35% renewable energy share in its power generation mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Jose Maria San Pedro, representing Governor Aurelio “Oyie” Umali, emphasized the provincial government’s support: “At the heart of our provincial agenda is the vision of sustainable, inclusive, and future-forward development. The provincial government of Nueva Ecija will continue to champion projects like MTerra Solar. We must pave the way for a future that is not only bright but also clean, green, and just.”
Gapan City Mayor Emary Joy Pascual also expressed her appreciation for the opportunities the project has created: “It’s heartening to see that thousands of jobs and business opportunities have been created here in the City of Gapan and are being enjoyed by our people.”
Municipality of General Tinio Mayor Sherry Bolisay added, “[We also express our] deep appreciation that a great number of the workforce is now providing livelihood… The strong partnership that we build today is a commitment to improve the lives of our people now and beyond.”
The sprawling MTerra Solar project encompasses 3,500 hectares, an area nearly the size of Pasig City, spanning the towns of Gapan, Peñaranda, General Tinio, and San Leonardo in Nueva Ecija, and San Miguel in Bulacan.
Upon completion, the facility is projected to deliver 3,500 megawatt-peak (MWp) of solar PV capacity, complemented by 4,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage. This will provide clean power to an estimated 2.4 million Filipino households and is expected to prevent up to 4.3 million tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing over 3 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the road.
