[Solar: Zambia to build 312MW of decentralized solar-plus-storage projects]

Meralco PowerGen Corporation and its partners have inaugurated Phase I of the MTerra Solar project in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, comprising 1.373GW of solar PV and 825MW/3,300MWh of battery storage. Once fully developed, the project will reach 3.5GW of solar PV and 4,500MWh of BESS capacity, making it one of the world’s largest single-site integrated solar-plus-storage projects, according to MGEN. The facility can currently export up to 750MW to the Luzon grid, while all 741 battery units on site have been energized. After grid testing, it is expected to begin supplying power under a 600MW mid-merit PSA with Meralco.

Malaysia has announced the sixth round of its Large Scale Solar program, offering 2.65GW of solar capacity, including 2.5GW paired with battery energy storage systems. PETRA said LSS6 will be divided into three tender packages: Package 1 will offer 2.2GW of solar with 1.1GW of BESS through open tender; Package 2, reserved for Bumiputera developers, will include 300MW of solar and 150MW of BESS; and Package 3 will offer 150MW of standalone solar projects for Bumiputera companies. PETRA expects the program to attract MYR 13 billion-15 billion in private investment and create 15,000-20,000 jobs during development and construction, with all projects targeted for commercial operation by Dec. 31, 2029.

Oman has approved a 6GW integrated solar cell and module manufacturing project as part of a USD 1.744 billion investment package announced by Future Fund Oman. The flagship Orion Solar project will be located in SOHAR Freezone and is expected to become the first integrated solar manufacturing facility of its kind in the Middle East, with annual capacity of 6GW of solar cells and 3GW of modules. Local reports said the project is backed by Chinese investors and is estimated to cost around OMR 220 million. The investment package also includes a 66,000 t/year LFP cathode material project for EV batteries and energy storage.