Acwa Power Philippines and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) have signed a contract of lease for a 500-hectare site in New Clark City, paving the way for the development of a utility-scale solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system (PV-BESS) project. The development represents a major step in the Philippines’ clean energy transition and supports the government’s efforts to attract high-value industrial investments to the country’s flagship smart city.
Under the agreement, Acwa Power Philippines will develop an integrated solar and battery storage facility with an eventual capacity of up to 500 MW, subject to final design, regulatory approvals and future expansion phases. The project will involve an initial investment of at least USD400,000 per MW and is intended to provide reliable renewable energy for data centres, advanced manufacturing facilities, artificial intelligence-related industries and other energy-intensive operations locating within New Clark City.
The project will serve as BCDA’s anchor power development within the New Clark City Special Economic Zone and is expected to strengthen the city’s position as a hub for technology-driven industries. The renewable energy facility will provide round-the-clock clean electricity through the integration of solar generation and battery storage systems, supporting both energy security and sustainability objectives. BCDA views the project as a key component of its strategy to attract global investors seeking access to dependable low-carbon power.
The initiative also contributes to the Philippines’ target of increasing the share of renewable energy in the national power generation mix to 35 per cent by 2030. For Acwa Power, the agreement marks its first land lease arrangement with a Philippine government agency and represents an important milestone in the company’s Southeast Asian expansion strategy. The project is expected to reinforce investor confidence in the Philippines as a destination for large-scale renewable energy and infrastructure investments.