ILOILO — Northern Iloilo’s push for renewable energy is gaining momentum.
Developers confirmed that a 142-megawatt solar power project in the municipality of Concepcion is moving toward construction this year, positioning the town as a major contributor to the Visayas power grid.
The large-scale solar farm, being developed by MGen Renewable Energy Inc. in partnership with Saudi-based ACWA Power, is expected to break ground within the next six to eight months following recent site visits and consultations with provincial and local government officials.
Project proponents have already secured about 150 hectares of land at the foothills of Mt. Apitong, covering selected areas in barangays Loong and Nipa.
Once completed, the facility will have a designed capacity of 142.10 megawatts, making it one of the largest solar installations planned in northern Iloilo.
The project is seen as a significant boost to the Visayas electricity supply amid rising demand for cleaner and more sustainable power sources.
In a report released by the Concepcion municipal government, local officials said the solar farm is expected to deliver several benefits to the town, including job generation during the construction phase, increased local revenues from taxes, and stronger positioning of Concepcion as a renewable energy hub in the province.
“During construction, priority will be given to hiring local residents, both skilled and unskilled,” the report said, noting that the project could help improve employment opportunities in the municipality.
The municipal government also expects the project to generate substantial tax revenues that can be channeled into public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, while helping reduce the town’s carbon footprint.
At present, MGen is completing regulatory requirements and final logistical preparations to ensure the smooth rollout of the project, which is slated to rise at the foothills of Mt. Apitong in the coming months.
Local officials said the planned solar farm underscores Concepcion’s growing role in Iloilo’s transition toward clean and sustainable energy./PN