The MTerra Solar Project is an integrated solar and battery storage facility being built in the Philippines. The project is developed by Terra Solar Philippines (TSPI), a subsidiary of the Philippines solar provider Solar Philippines New Energy (SPNEC).
In July 2024, the Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines Government issued a Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS) to the project. It also secured a Green Lane Certificate of endorsement from the Board of Investments (BOI) in August 2024.
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The Green Lane Certificate fastens the process of obtaining permits and licences for strategic investments including energy projects.
The permits and licences for the development were provided by various agencies of the Philippines Government which included Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources along with National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Board of Investments, Provicnes of Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, Bureau of Customs, and Securities and Exchange Commission.
The developer commenced the construction of the project in November 2024. It will involve an investment of more than PHP200bn ($4bn).
MTerra will be developed in two phases with Phase 1 commencing production in February 2026 (Phase 1) and Phase 2 in 2027 respectively.
Once fully operational, the project will feature a 3,500 megawatts peak (MWp) photovoltaic (PV) plant and a 4,500 megawatt-hours (MWhr) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This will make MTerra one of the largest integrated solar and battery storage facilities in the world.
The development of MTerra project is aligned with the goal of the Philippines Government to achieve a 35% renewable energy mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
In September 2024, sustainable infrastructure investor Actis signed a strategic agreement to invest in a 40% stake in Terra Solar for a total consideration of $600m.
MTerra Solar Project Location
The MTerra Solar Project is being constructed on the island of Luzon, about 100km from Manila.
The project covers six towns- Peñaranda, General Tinio, and Gapan City in Nueva Ecija, as well as San Miguel in Bulacan.
A total of 3,500 hectares (ha) of land will be covered by the project across Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. This is equivalent to the size of the city of Pasig.
Phase 1 will cover approximately 2,500ha area and about 1,000ha will be covered by Phase 2.
MTerra Solar Project Details
MTerra Solar project will be developed in two phases.
Phase 1 will involve the development of 2,500MWp solar PV and 3,300MWhr BESS capacities, followed by 1,000MWp solar PV and 1,200MWhr BESS in the second phase.
The solar PV will use the bifacial N-type TOPCon PV modules with high power rating for better efficiency and improving power generation.
The modules will be placed on a ground mounted galvanised steel structure with an initial fixed 9 degree tilt, a 7.5m pitch. The structures will be installed in a southward facing orientation maintaining a ground coverage ratio (GCR) of 0.3 to minimise energy losses.
The BESS will consist of battery containers to store Direct Current (DC) energy, storage inverters to convert Alternating Current (AC) to DC and vice versa, transformers to increase voltage to low to medium levels, and power conversion systems to transform DC to AC.
The multiple battery containers and power conversion systems will offer a rated power of 1,125MW and an energy storage capacity of 4,500MWhr to offer four hours of discharge.
The battery containers will have parallel connected battery racks managed by the Energy Management System (EMS).
The EMS estimates the charge state, monitors charge/discharge process, and manages the status of the system including safety, temperature control, and communication with other components of BESS.
A transmission line will connect the plant and BESS to the Luzon power grid managed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
MTerra Solar Project Power Transmission
The hybrid project will feature a 500kV 13km long transmission line with 89 towers. The infrastructure will use 4-410mm2 Thermal Resistant Aluminium Alloy Conductors Steel Reinforced (TACSR) per phase.
Initially, the transmission line will connect the existing 500kV Nagsaag-San Jose NGCP Transmission Line. Subsequently, it will be connected to the new 500 kV Nagsaag-Marilao Transmission Line.
A new 500kV/230kV Main Substation will be built for the project along with a 230 kV/34.5kV Main Collector Substation, and two 230 kV/34.5kV PV Satellite Substations.
The infrastructure will be supported by an integrated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system allowing maintenance of the PV plant 24/7 locally and remotely by the operators.
SCADA will be fitted with an advanced Grid Controller to align plant responses with the requirements of the NGCP.
The project is expected to produce renewable energy for approximately 2.4 million households, offsetting carbon emissions by an estimated 4.3 million tonnes (mt) per year from the atmosphere.
Contractors Involved
The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for the MTerra Solar Project was awarded to China Energy Engineering Group (Energy China, CEEC).
Under the contract, CEEC will also deliver warranty coverage, operational and maintenance services, and training programmes for the project.
UK-based engineering, management, and development consultancy Mott Macdonald was selected as the owner’s engineer for the project.
Mott will provide electrical, civil and renewable energy engineering, and strategic contracting services for the project.
Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA), a Chinese integrated construction group, received the EPC contract in November 2024 to deliver the 1,050MW solar project. This represents the first-phase eastern section of the Terra Solar Project.
In December 2024, Jacobs, a technical professional services firm, was contracted by TSPI to deliver engineering, technical, and construction services for the project.
Jacobs will provide drone technology and advanced digital construction management tools to manage field tasks, undertake site inspections and track progress.
Additionally, Jacobs will oversee supply chain and equipment delivery logistics.
Meralco Industrial Engineering Services (MIESCOR) was selected by TSPI to link the project to the Luzon power grid.
MIESCOR will be the EPC contractor for the critical infrastructure which includes the main Collector Substation, two Solar PV Collector Substations, and two double-circuit 230kV transmission lines.
