Cadiz City has taken a major step toward expanding renewable energy in the Visayas with the groundbreaking of the 239-megawatt peak Luna Solar Power Plant and its accompanying 65-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System in Barangay Luna.
The project, which broke ground on Friday, is expected to begin commercial operations by 2028. Once completed, it will become the largest solar facility in the Visayas and the first integrated solar battery installation on Negros Island, further strengthening the region's role in the country's clean energy transition.
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Major Renewable Energy Expansion in Negros
The new development adds to the company's growing renewable energy portfolio in Negros Occidental, where it already operates the 173 MWp Calatrava facility in Calatrava town and the 59 MWp SacaSun plant in San Carlos City.
Reflecting on the milestone, Aboitiz Renewables President Jimmy Villaroman said, “Our solar journey began here in Negros Occidental with SacaSun, our very first solar plant in San Carlos City. Today, breaking ground on Project Luna — which will surpass even Calatrava once online — feels like coming home.”
Villaroman also underscored why the province continues to attract renewable energy investments.
“Returning to this island is a deliberate choice, as Negros Occidental has proven itself an ideal hub for renewable energy — not only because of its natural solar potential, but because of proactive local policies that let clean energy projects move forward with confidence,” he said.
The solar facility will occupy 180 hectares of land acquired from local sugar industry leader Manuel Lamata.
Project Expected to Create Jobs and Attract More Investments
Construction is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of this year, with the project expected to employ around 1,000 workers, more than half of whom will come from Cadiz City.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. described the investment as a significant development for both the city and the province.
“This is probably the single biggest investment in Negros Occidental. Hosting this project shows our capacity to manage large scale initiatives and marks our city’s intent to expand beyond agriculture,” the mayor said.
Officials also disclosed that another potential solar project site is being explored within Cadiz City, while land acquisition is continuing for a separate facility in Barangay Mabini.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Negros Occidental 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, Cadiz City Vice Mayor John Vincent Escalante, Aboitiz Renewables executives David Aboitiz, Alexander Coo, and Cris Alidon, as well as GEDI Construction Development Corp. representative Han Xu.
The Luna Solar Power Plant highlights the growing role of renewable energy investments in supporting economic development while strengthening the country's energy security. For residents of Cadiz City and Negros Occidental, the project is expected to generate employment, attract more investments, and contribute to a cleaner and more reliable power supply that benefits communities and businesses across the Visayas.
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