Construction has begun on a UK-backed 99MW solar power plant in South Cotabato, which is set to power 82,000 homes and cut 66,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
The Mindanao Solar Plant marks another achievement in the growing partnership between the UK and the Philippines in clean energy development.
The ₱4.49 billion solar farm investment demonstrates how UK expertise and financing are helping transform the Philippines’ energy landscape.
The project is backed by innovative funding from British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, working alongside HSBC and Pentagreen Capital to make this ambitious undertaking possible.
Solar’s crucial role in the global energy transition
Solar energy plays a crucial role in the global transition to renewable energy, offering a clean, abundant, and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
As the Sun provides more energy in an hour than the world uses in an entire year, harnessing this resource through solar panels and other technologies helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat climate change, and decrease dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
Solar power also promotes energy independence and security, especially in remote or underdeveloped regions where access to traditional power grids is limited. With falling costs and improving efficiency, solar energy stands at the forefront of efforts to build a more resilient and environmentally responsible energy system.
Supporting a clean energy transition in the Philippines
When completed, the solar power plant will generate enough clean electricity annually to power more than 82,000 Filipino households while preventing 66,000 tonnes of harmful carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere each year.
Mike Welch, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the British Embassy in Manila, they said: “This new joint financing facility between the UK’s British International Investment and Pentagreen, with ib vogt Singapore, will support a 99MWp solar power project in South Cotabato, Mindanao.
“This will have a positive impact on local communities and businesses, as well as supporting the broader energy transition in the country.”
Job opportunities at the Mindanao Solar Plant
The Mindanao Solar Power Plant is being developed by ib vogt, an international solar company and represents their second major solar initiative in Mindanao.
Its construction and operational phases will create employment opportunities for local communities, while strengthening the national electricity grid that serves millions of Filipinos.
Strengthening the UK-Philippines renewable energy partnership
This latest solar project builds on a growing portfolio of UK investments in Philippine renewable energy, including recent support for 380 MW wind farms across Luzon and Visayas.
Backed by an equity investment of $150m, this partnership marks a significant step forward in expanding the Philippines’ renewable energy capacity. The projects, which secured offtake agreements through the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), exemplify the potential of partnerships to advance clean energy initiatives.
Furthermore, the UK has backed what will become the country’s largest solar installation in Nueva Ecija. The Terra Solar Project will provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable power to millions of Filipinos, reinforcing the UK’s role as a key partner in the Philippines’ renewable energy transition.
His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils, stated: “The UK is proud to be a partner in the Philippines’ renewable energy journey. These investments reflect our shared vision for a sustainable future and underscore the strong ties between our two nations.
“Projects like these not only provide clean energy to millions but also create opportunities for innovation and progress in the fight against climate change.”
These initiatives demonstrate the strong partnership between the UK and the Philippines that is delivering tangible benefits for the community and businesses while advancing global climate action.
