MANILA – ACEN Corporation, the Ayala Group’s listed renewable energy arm, is targeting commercial operations of its Zambales Solar Park by 2027, with the project expected to add significant capacity to the Luzon grid. The 500 MWac solar facility (with potential battery energy storage system integration) is one of the largest in the company’s pipeline and a key part of ACEN’s goal to reach 20 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
ACEN President and CEO Eric Francia shared the timeline during a January 9, 2026 investor briefing, noting that site preparation, permitting, and financing are progressing well. The Zambales project—located in the province’s coastal and inland areas—benefits from excellent solar irradiation and proximity to major load centers.
Project Highlights
- Capacity: 500 MWac (expandable with BESS)
- Target COD: 2027
- Land Area: ~1,000 hectares (secured)
- Expected Output: ~900–1,000 GWh annually (enough to power ~400,000 households)
- Status: Early development; full permitting and financing targeted for 2026
The Zambales Solar Park is part of ACEN’s broader Luzon portfolio, which already includes operational assets in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan. It will help address the country’s growing energy demand while supporting the national target of 35% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
Visuals of ACEN’s Renewable Projects (including similar solar farms):
Here are images of ACEN solar developments, construction progress, and the vision for large-scale solar in Luzon.
Exciting progress for clean energy in the Philippines—Zambales will be a major contributor to the country’s renewable future!