The Department of Energy (DOE), together with private developers, recently broke ground on the Tantangan Solar Project in South Cotabato—a major renewable energy effort aimed at delivering clean electricity to more than 82,000 homes across Mindanao.
Spearheaded by Apolaki Seven, Inc. and ib vogt GmbH, the project will inject 99 megawatt peak (MWp) of solar power into the national grid. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce over 150,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually.
This clean energy generation is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 66,000 tons every year.
Valued at ₱4.49 billion ($80 million), the Tantangan Solar Project is financed through green loans from The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). It is the first project to receive support from the joint Development and Construction Facility of British International Investment (BII) and Pentagreen Capital, which includes mezzanine financing.
ib vogt GmbH is a leading developer of utility-scale solar projects worldwide, boasting a 20-year history of delivering large-scale renewable energy solutions.
David Ludwig, chief executive officer (CEO) of ib vogt in the Asia-Pacific, emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing the country’s renewable energy goals. “This milestone illustrates our shared determination to accelerate the energy transition in the Philippines,” he said. “We remain dedicated to supporting Mindanao’s sustainable growth and are grateful to our partners BII, HSBC, and Pentagreen.”
(Also read: Mindanao Pushes for Energy Security Through Solar)
Milestone advances clean energy shift
Energy Undersecretary Mylene Capongcol highlighted the importance of the project during the groundbreaking ceremony, stating, “Today, we do more than break ground on a state-of-the-art solar facility — we celebrate a vital step toward our national energy aspirations under the National Renewable Energy Program. This project contributes meaningfully to our goal of increasing the renewable energy share in our power mix to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.”
Currently, renewable energy accounts for 22% of the country’s power generation mix. The first phase of the Tantangan Solar Project, awarded during the second round of the Green Energy Auction Program in 2023, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
“The initial phase will mark a significant step towards realizing the project’s full potential and delivering its promised benefits to the people of Mindanao,” the DOE stated.
Sources:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1256052
https://bilyonaryo.com/2025/08/07/new-solar-project-to-power-82000-homes-in-south-cotabato/power/
https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2025/08/07/690279/south-cotabato-solar-farm-to-rise/
https://context.ph/2025/08/07/doe-breaks-ground-on-99-mw-solar-project-in-south-cotabato/
