A P11.5-billion solar expansion in Malita, Davao Occidental is set to significantly increase the province’s renewable energy capacity, with the project expected to triple the existing facility’s output to 300 megawatts.
The expansion is planned for Barangay Lais and is being developed by SMC Global Light and Power Corp., a subsidiary of San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp.
The company is seeking approval to increase the Malita solar project from its current 95-megawatt capacity to 300 megawatts as part of a broader push to expand renewable energy generation in the Philippines.
Expansion to stay within existing site
One of the major advantages of the project is that the expansion will remain within the existing 506.2-hectare site.
This means the company will not need to acquire additional land in Malita for the larger facility.
Documents submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau show that SMC Global Light and Power is seeking amendments to its Environmental Compliance Certificate to accommodate the increased capacity.
Once completed, the expanded solar facility is expected to feature 447,772 photovoltaic panels and 76 central inverters.
The additional infrastructure will allow the project to generate more renewable electricity for the power grid.
Project targets 2028 operations
The solar expansion is expected to break ground in the third quarter of 2026, with commercial operations of the full 300-megawatt facility targeted for the fourth quarter of 2028.
The project has also secured an allocation under the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Auction Program, which is designed to encourage investment in renewable energy projects and strengthen the country’s power supply.
The development comes as the Philippines continues to increase renewable energy capacity while seeking to reduce dependence on conventional power sources.
Community consultation already held
A public consultation for the project was held on August 27 at Bisang Elementary School in Barangay Lais.
The meeting brought together representatives from the project developer, residents and local government officials from Malita and Davao Occidental.
The discussions covered the project’s environmental safeguards and social development commitments, as well as the potential impact of the expansion on the surrounding community.
The consultation forms part of the environmental review process required as the company seeks approval for the project’s increased capacity.
Part of a much larger solar expansion plan
The Malita project is not an isolated investment for San Miguel Global Power.
The company has set a long-term target of developing around 2,450 megawatts of solar power capacity in key locations across the Philippines by 2029.
The Davao Occidental expansion therefore forms part of a much wider renewable energy strategy aimed at increasing the company’s presence in the country’s solar power sector.
For Davao Occidental, the project could also strengthen the province’s role in the country’s growing renewable energy industry.
With its capacity expected to rise from 95 MW to 300 MW, the Malita solar facility will become a substantially larger source of clean electricity once the expansion is completed.
If the project stays on schedule, the full 300-megawatt facility is expected to begin commercial operations in 2028, adding another major renewable energy project to the Philippines’ expanding solar portfolio.
Leave a Reply