Philippines Deploys First Megawatt-Scale Floating Solar Power Plant

Strategic Insights -

The Philippines has made history with the deployment of its first megawatt-scale floating solar power plant on a reservoir in Cebu, marking a significant step towards reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuels. The 4.99-megawatt facility, built by Black and Veatch on the Malubog Reservoir in Toledo City, Cebu, is expected to meet 10% of Carmen Copper Corp.'s current power demand and can scale up to 50 megawatts. This innovative project aligns with the Philippine Department of Energy's target of sourcing 35% of power from renewable energy by 2030.

Key Takeaways:

  • The floating solar power plant, built by Black and Veatch, is the first megawatt-scale deployment of the technology in the Philippines.
  • The plant, which covers three hectares and includes 8,540 panels, is expected to meet 10% of Carmen Copper Corp.'s current power demand.
  • The project can scale up to 50 megawatts and is part of Carmen Copper's strategy to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and align with the Philippine Department of Energy's target of sourcing 35% of power from renewable energy by 2030.
  • The technology, known as floatovoltaics, uses pontoons to suspend solar panels over bodies of water, conserving land, providing natural cooling, and reducing water evaporation.
  • Carmen Copper is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp., one of the country's largest copper producers.
  • The company stated that the project supports its goal of using more sustainable energy in operations while complying with environmental standards.
  • The facility uses panels fixed at a constant tilt to maximize solar exposure during peak hours, allowing the mine to reduce its daytime fossil fuel usage.
  • Future expansions of the floating array could allow Carmen Copper to fully power its operations with renewable energy.

Statistics:

  • 4.99 megawatts: the capacity of the floating solar power plant
  • 8,540: the number of solar panels used in the plant
  • 10%: the expected percentage of power demand met by the plant
  • 50 megawatts: the maximum capacity of the plant
  • 35%: the target percentage of power from renewable energy by 2030, set by the Philippine Department of Energy
  • 50 years: the duration of Black and Veatch's operation in the Philippines
  • 15 months: the time taken by Black and Veatch to complete the project
  • 3 hectares: the area covered by the floating solar plant

Sources:

  • Black and Veatch press release (no date)
  • Carmen Copper Corp. press release (no date)
  • Philippine Department of Energy (no date)
  • Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. press release (no date)