SunAsia secures all 10 contracts to develop 1.3GW floating solar on Laguna Lake

SunAsia Energy Inc. has secured all the 10 solar energy operating contracts (SEOCs) to develop over one thousand megawatts of floating solar facilities on the surface of Laguna Lake.

At a site visit in the company’s pilot floating solar facility in Bay town, Laguna on Friday, SunAsia project development head Karlo Abril said the Department of Energy (DOE) completed granting the 10 SEOCs to SunAsia.

Each contract has a 25-year operating period.

The granting of all the 10 SEOCs will pave the way for SunAsia and its partner Blueleaf Energy Philippines to develop 1,318 megawatts (MW) or 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of floating solar farms in Laguna Lake.

The companies will build 10 blocks of floating solar facilities at 100 hundred hectares each on Laguna Lake, spanning the towns of Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, Calamba, Victoria, and Bay.

To recall, in May 2023, SunAsia secured six SEOCs for the development of 610.5 MW of floating solar facilities on the lake —covering the first phase of the total 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of floating solar projects that SunAsia and Blueleaf plan to install.

As the project secured all the 10 contracts, SunAsia president and CEO Tetchi Capellan said construction will start next year, while commercial operations are targeted to begin in 2026.

"This initiative is a testament to our commitment to clean energy goals. It’s not just about harnessing solar power; it’s about creating sustainable job opportunities, boosting the small-medium enterprise thru tourism, and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Capellan said.

Meanwhile, the pilot 15-kilowatt floating solar panels along the Laguna Lake shore within Barangay San Antonio in Bay town —which forms part of SunAsia’s corporate social responsibility initiative in the communities it is operating— helps the village’s council save on electricity costs.

Speaking with reporters, Geralyn Villarin, secretary of Barangay San Antonio, said the Barangay Hall saves 50% of electricity costs due to additional power being provided by the floating solar panels.

Abril said SunAsia hired locals to construct and maintain the pilot project.—AOL, GMA Integrated News