Philippines Completes First MW-Scale Floating Solar Array

The Philippines has successfully installed a 4.99 MW floating solar array, marking the country’s first megawatt-scale floating solar facility. Located on the Malubog reservoir at a copper mine in Cebu province, the project spans 3 hectares and includes 8,540 solar panels. Carmen Copper Corp., the mine’s owner, commissioned the project, with U.S.-based Black & Veatch serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor.

The solar installation currently generates enough electricity to cover 10% of the mine’s energy requirements. Plans are in place to expand the facility to 50 MW, which would fully meet Carmen Copper’s power needs. Jerin Raj, Asia Pacific managing director for Black & Veatch, stated: “The project was completed on time and on budget within 15 months.”

In a separate development, construction began this week on a 99 MW solar project in Tantangan, South Cotabato, located in the Mindanao region. German solar company ib vogt is developing the array, which has secured PHP 4.49 billion in green financing from HSBC. The project also benefits from a joint development and construction facility supported by British International Investment and Pentagreen Capital.

The Tantangan solar plant, set for completion in 2026, is expected to produce electricity for over 82,000 households. This marks ib vogt’s second solar initiative in Mindanao, with the company actively developing over 1 GW of infrastructure projects across the Philippines.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Philippines had a cumulative solar capacity exceeding 2.9 GW by the end of 2024. These projects highlight the country’s commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure, supporting both industrial operations and household energy needs while promoting sustainable development.