ib vogt Breaks Ground on 99 MWp Luca Solar Power Plant in Iloilo, Backed by British International Investment

German solar developer ib vogt has broken ground on its 99 megawatt-peak Luca Solar Power Plant in Ajuy, Iloilo, in the Philippines, a project that will generate enough clean energy to power approximately 79,000 homes annually and represents a deepening commitment by international capital to the country's renewable energy transition.

Project Scale and Clean Energy Output

The Luca Solar Power Plant, located in Barangay Luca within the municipality of Ajuy, is expected to generate approximately 158 gigawatt-hours of clean energy each year once operational. Alongside that output, the plant is projected to avoid an estimated 109,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually over its projected 20-year operational life. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 15 September 2026, marking the formal commencement of construction on what ib vogt describes as a significant milestone in its Philippine operations.

ib vogt's Philippine Pipeline Takes Shape

For ib vogt APAC, the Luca plant is part of a rapidly scaling portfolio in the Philippines. David Ludwig, Chief Executive Officer of ib vogt APAC, noted that earlier in 2026 the company's first solar and storage plant in the country began delivering power. '

He said that breaking ground on Luca effectively doubles the capacity the company has built and has under construction in the Philippines, and that a third and larger project entering construction before the end of the year will more than double that figure again.

The company has set a target of reaching approximately 500 megawatts of capacity in construction and operation in the Philippines by the end of 2026. Ludwig framed the acceleration as part of a broader regional push, describing Southeast Asia as entering a decade in which reliable, low-cost power will determine how quickly these economies grow.

Jobs and Local Economic Impact

Jose Luis Echávarri, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of ib vogt APAC, highlighted the employment dimension of the project. He described the construction phase as creating significant hundreds of jobs in the area, with a smaller number of skilled positions remaining in the community for the duration of the plant's operating life. Ajuy Mayor Loida Espinosa echoed that framing, saying the project would generate employment, economic activity, and investment beyond the electricity it produces, contributing to the development of both Barangay Luca and the wider municipality.

Philippines Energy Policy Context

Marissa P. Cerezo, Director IV of the Department of Energy's Renewable Energy Management Bureau, placed the project within the context of the country's expanding power needs. She stated that energy demand will continue to grow as the Philippine economy expands, and that the country requires an energy system that is not only sufficient, but also reliable, resilient, diversified, and increasingly sustainable. The Luca plant sits in the Visayas region, where strengthening energy security has been identified as a national priority.

Financing Structure: Blended Capital Under Singapore's FAST-P Programme

The transaction was arranged and financed by RCBC and RCBC Capital, with Pentagreen Capital and British International Investment providing additional capital that shaped the overall structure. Pentagreen Capital's participation drew on its Green Investments Partnership, which operates under Singapore's FAST-P programme.

Marat Zapparov, Chief Executive Officer of Pentagreen Capital, congratulated the ib vogt Asia team on the groundbreaking and pointed to the recently commissioned 99 megawatt Tantangan Solar Project in Mindanao as evidence of the developer's ability to bring impactful energy projects from concept to reality in the region.

UK Government Backs Project Through BII

The British government's involvement was represented at the groundbreaking by British Ambassador Sarah Hulton OBE, who confirmed that the United Kingdom is supporting the Luca Solar Project through British International Investment, the UK's development finance institution.

Hulton said the project would help unlock additional private-sector investment, deliver clean electricity for 79,000 households, strengthen energy security in the Visayas, and support the Philippines' transition to a lower-carbon future. Rohit Anand, Managing Director and Head of Asia Climate Direct Investments at BII, described the broader ambition behind the institution's involvement.

He said that driving a successful energy transition will require significantly greater flows of private investment into emerging markets and that BII aims to play a catalytic role in mobilising capital toward high-impact climate infrastructure. He characterised the Luca Solar Power Plant as an example of how blended expertise and long-term capital can help bring strategically important renewable energy projects from concept to reality.

Government and Community Support

ib vogt acknowledged support from a range of local and national stakeholders as central to reaching the groundbreaking milestone. The Provincial Government of Iloilo, as well as the municipalities of Ajuy and Barotac Viejo, backed the project throughout its development. The company also credited the host communities for opening their land to the project.