Cebu — The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has officially approved a resolution authorizing the Provincial Legal Office to secure a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) permit for clearing trees on 187 hectares in Barangay Talisay, Daanbantayan. This significant regulatory step aims to clear the path for the long-awaited 150-megawatt (MW) Daanbantayan Solar Power Plant, a landmark P7.5-billion public-private partnership between the Cebu Provincial Government, Spain-based Acciona Energia, and Makati-based Freya Renewables. Sponsored by PB Member Stanley Caminero and approved during the board's regular session on July 13, 2026, the resolution deems the tree removal "necessary and incidental" to the project, aligning with environmental and forestry regulations.
Powering the Visayas with Clean Energy
The Daanbantayan Solar Project is set to become the largest solar facility in the Visayas region, playing a critical role in the Philippines' push toward renewable energy and energy security. With a peak capacity of 176 MW and a base capacity of 150 MW, the plant is expected to generate approximately 280 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually—enough to supply stable power to over 300,000 people. The facility also features a large-scale battery storage system designed to stabilize the power grid by releasing energy during peak demand periods, ensuring a reliable power supply even during cloudy conditions.
Navigating Legal and Land Disputes
Despite its status as a high-priority Energy Project of National Significance (EPNS), the solar farm has faced persistent controversy regarding its land acquisition process. The provincial government secured the 187-hectare site through tax forfeiture after negotiations with local landowners failed to yield a purchase price agreement, leading to ongoing legal challenges from former owners who contest the acquisition. While these disputes have caused delays in the project timeline, provincial officials have reported a "meeting of minds" with legal representatives, allowing the development to proceed while legal proceedings continue. The project has also successfully undergone agrarian reform conversion, reclassifying the site as industrial land to support its infrastructure requirements.
A Milestone for Public-Private Partnership
As the country’s first public-private partnership (PPP) in the energy sector, this project underscores the Cebu Provincial Government's commitment to accelerating decarbonization and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. With civil works and soil testing currently underway, the plant is on track to begin commercial operations by December 2026. Once the 25-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement concludes, full ownership of both the land and the facility will revert to the Cebu provincial government, creating a lasting legacy for the region’s energy infrastructure and economic growth.
There's still no solar project yet. No people. how about a picture of cebu city hall
