MANILA, Philippines — SMC Global Light and Power Corp., a subsidiary of San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMGP), is seeking to invest P11.5 billion to develop and expand a major solar farm in Malita, Davao Occidental.
In a filing with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the company proposed increasing the project’s capacity to 300 megawatts (MW), a significant expansion from the 95 MW originally covered by its environmental compliance certificate issued last December. The planned solar park will span approximately 506 hectares and utilize over 447,000 solar panels to help meet the region’s growing energy needs.
The project recently secured capacity under the Department of Energy’s fourth round of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP-4). This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to transition toward renewable energy and ensure long-term energy security as national peak power demand is projected to surge to 68,500 MW by 2050.
“Renewable energy remains a key pillar of the Philippine government’s low-emission development strategy,” the company stated in its filing. “The project is fully aligned with the Philippines’ renewable energy transition.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with the facility expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2028. This development is part of SMGP’s larger goal to roll out approximately 2,450 MW of solar capacity across Davao, Bulacan, and Isabela by 2029.
A public scoping session for the project is scheduled for March 17, 2026, providing an opportunity for local stakeholders to review the development plans and provide feedback as part of the environmental impact assessment process.
