MANILA – The Land Bank of the Philippines has granted an ₱800-million financing facility to Archipelago Renewables Corporation to fund hybrid renewable energy microgrids in 14 underserved barangays in Palawan.

According to LANDBANK, the project will finance the construction of 16 off-grid microgrids and 175 kilometers of distribution network within the franchise area of Palawan Electric Cooperative.

The initiative is expected to provide round-the-clock electricity to about 7,100 households, more than 300 small businesses, and community facilities, benefiting over 30,000 residents.

The microgrids will use a hybrid system combining solar photovoltaic technology, battery energy storage, and diesel backup to deliver stable power in off-grid communities.

The financing agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony on June 22 at LANDBANK Plaza in Manila. Among those present were LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, WEnergy Global CEO Atem S. Ramsundersingh, ARC President Quintin Jose V. Pastrana, and Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Corporation Treasurer Jose Antonio Gozun.

Department of Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara and Marielle Geraedts attended the event as witnesses.

ARC was established as a special-purpose company to develop and operate renewable and hybrid energy systems. It is backed by a consortium composed of MCPHC, CleanGrid Partners Pte. Ltd., and WEnergy Global.

“This initiative goes beyond building infrastructure; it powers opportunity. By combining clean solar energy with innovative financing, we are strengthening communities, supporting local enterprises, and accelerating inclusive growth in underserved areas. This is how we move forward—sustainably and responsibly,”

Ortiz said.

“This partnership is about turning finance into economic and social impact, so a shopkeeper can keep her doors open longer, a child can study after sunset, and communities can move from darkness to opportunity. We are grateful to LANDBANK for going to the ground, seeing the impact firsthand, and joining us in the hard work of rural electrification and keeping development financing meaningful,”

Ramsundersingh said.

“We are proud to build and expand this robust foundation with LANDBANK, one that represents the largest private sector venture in off-grid electrification, beginning with our host communities in Palawan, Quezon, and Cebu,”

Pastrana added.

“WEnergy Global taps into the Dutch Knowledge infrastructure to bring the best of design to work for the off-grid communities. The company is a two-time award winner of the Dr. Albert Winsemius Award in Singapore for its planning and design work of off-grid electrification in the Philippines,”

Ambassador Geraedts said.

LANDBANK said the ARC microgrid portfolio has been recognized as an energy project of national significance and is intended to support efforts to expand electrification in underserved areas while reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based generation.

The state-owned bank added that the financing forms part of its broader program to support renewable energy projects, environmental protection initiatives, and climate-resilient development.