Manila: Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has encouraged the private sector to further increase investments in the energy sector, citing gains such as the 99-megawatt-peak (MWp) Tantangan Solar Project, eyed to benefit around 68,000 households in Sultan Kudarat. In a news release Thursday, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Garin attended during the day the energization of the solar power project's first phase, eyed to deliver 74.5 MWp.

According to Philippines News Agency, the project is 97.3 percent complete, and once fully completed by October this year, its total capacity will be around 99 MWp, complemented by a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can deliver 4 MW of power and store 16MWh of energy. The project is expected to generate around 163 gigawatt-hour (GWh) annually and reduce carbon emissions by around 113,950 metric tons annually.

The project, awarded a solar energy operation contract under the Green Energy Auction (GEA) in September 2023, is being developed by Philippine-based renewable energy developer Apolaki Seven Inc. and Singapore-based utility-scale solar development firm IbVogt.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin highlighted that by bringing utility-scale solar generation to Mindanao, this plant strengthens the reliability and diversity of the island's power supply. Amid the Middle East conflict, the Philippines is on a mission to reduce dependence on imported energy sources and generate its own electricity. Projects like this enhance energy security and signify Mindanao's readiness to lead in the country's clean energy transition.

Garin noted that the project's success resulted from closer coordination among government agencies, industry players, and host communities. She commended Apolaki Seven and IbVogt for building a power plant that answered the call of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), a DOE initiative designed to attract private sector investment in large-scale renewable energy.

She emphasized that the project stands as proof of the program's effectiveness, showcasing the impact of the right policy environment combined with private sector involvement in scaling the energy transition across the archipelago.

The current Marcos government aims to increase the share of renewable energy (RE) in the country's energy mix to around 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. As of 2025, RE accounts for approximately 25 percent of the energy mix.