By Danessa Rivera (The
Philippine Star) | Updated June 2, 2016 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines – Solar
Philippines is building a mega solar factory in Batangas over the next three
years aimed to make the Philippines a “solar powerhouse.”
Solar Philippines announced it will
build one of the world’s largest solar factories in Tanauan, Batangas as the
production of solar panels is seen shifting from China to Southeast Asia,
company president Leandro Leviste said.
“Increasingly, solar manufacturing
is moving from China to Southeast Asia, and we believe that the Philippines can
lead that trend. Filipinos are among the best workers in the world, and the large
local solar market can add to the demand for otherwise export-only factories,”
he said.
The solar factory is designed to
produce up to two gigawatts (GW) of solar panels, with the first section of the
facility operational by end-2016.
While the company has received
offers from several global solar manufacturers to become partners in this
venture, Solar Philippines has started the procurement process for
manufacturing equipment and will start setting up the facility in the third
quarter of 2016.
Initially, the panels to be produced
in the Batangas facility will be used for the company’s own projects, and later
export to the US and Europe. The company forecasts a minimum demand of 500
megawatts (MW) by mid-2017.
With the new production hub, the
company aims to lower panel costs, take control of the supply chain, and
support the new administration’s agenda to bring manufacturing to the
Philippines, Leviste said.
“This is the key step towards
lowering solar costs, enabling us to produce electricity cheaper than coal.
Instead of importing expensive fuel from other countries, we will manufacture
here in the Philippines. Soon enough, our country can become the Saudi Arabia
of solar, a leading energy exporter, and Made in the Philippines panels will be
used around the world,” he said.
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