MANILA, Philippines — Mabuhay Energy Corporation President and CEO Jacqueline Castillo steered a panel discussion on the future of renewable energy at the Energyear Philippines 2026, held on January 21 at The Westin Manila Hotel.
The conversation, titled “The Smart Energy Future: The Role of Solar and Storage in Sustainable Growth,” convened energy leaders, investors, and innovators to address how the Philippines can navigate an increasingly complex energy transition. Castillo emphasized that the ‘smart’ in smart energy refers to a strategic balance between advanced technology and local socioeconomic hurdles, including grid constraints, land availability, and development priorities.
“Smart energy is more than just new technology,” Castillo remarked. “It is about applying global standards to Philippine realities to drive economic growth without sacrificing our farms, our food security, or our environment.”
Joining Castillo on stage, David Evangelista, Senior AVP for Business Development at Vivant Energy Corporation, warned that the window for standalone solar projects is closing. Evangelista noted that peak energy prices in the Philippines have shifted from daytime to night, rendering traditional solar less effective without storage.
The panel also highlighted the role of digital tools in protecting long-term investments. Alicia Herrera Alonso, Sales Manager at Madrid-based RatedPower, provided a technical perspective on optimizing plant design to reduce execution risk. She pointed out that most project-defining decisions are “locked in” during early-stage planning.
By utilizing simulation and digital technologies, developers can test multiple scenarios before committing capital, identifying potential bottlenecks early to prevent the costly redesigns and delays that often plague Philippine infrastructure.
As the Philippines targets a 50% renewable energy share by 2040, the socioeconomic tension between food security and energy security has become a critical bottleneck. Robert Gerard Nepomuceno, President & CEO of RASLAG Corporation, discussed the developer’s perspective on scaling capacity amidst limited land availability. Nepomuceno shared insights on agrivoltaics, the dual use of land for solar and agriculture. While promising, he noted that it is currently treated more like a CSR initiative than a bankable project due to complex regulatory hurdles and unclear land classification, a significant barrier in a country where farming remains the primary livelihood for millions.
The discussion, which also featured Antonio Robredo Arana of Axial Structural Solutions, concluded that the “smart energy era” requires protecting returns over 25-to-30-year lifecycles. This involves managing not just the technology, but the financing, execution, and regulatory risks that could otherwise erode the benefits of falling equipment costs.
For Mabuhay Energy, the event underscores a commitment to driving an energy transition that supports economic growth without compromising environmental sustainability or community welfare.
