LANDBANK drives clean energy access in Palawan with ₱800-M microgrid financing

LANDBANK drives clean energy access in Palawan with ₱800-M microgrid financing

LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (center right) and WEnergy Global CEO Atem S. Ramsundersingh (center left), together with partners, Archipelago Renewables Corporation President Quintin Jose V. Pastrana (3^rd from left), Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Corporation Treasurer Jose Antonio Gozun (2nd from left), LANDBANK EVP Charlotte I. Conde (3^rd from right), and FVP Ann Marijell B. Ong (2^nd from right), formalize an ₱800-million financing agreement to deploy hybrid renewable energy-powered microgrids in underserved communities in Palawan. Also present as witnesses are H.E. Ambassador of the Netherlands Marielle Geraedts (leftmost) and Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara (rightmost). 

Manila, Philippines — LANDBANK has extended an ₱800-million financing facility to Archipelago Renewables Corporation (ARC) to fund smart, hybrid renewable energy microgrids across 14 underserved barangays in Palawan.

The financing will fund the establishment of 16 off-grid microgrids and 175 kilometers of distribution network to provide 24/7 electricity to 7,100 households, over 300 small businesses, and vital community facilities within the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) franchise area. The hybrid systems will combine solar photovoltaic technology, battery energy storage, and diesel backup to ensure stable, affordable power for more than 30,000 residents.

The partnership was formalized through a ceremonial signing on June 22, 2026 at the LANDBANK Plaza in Manila, with LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, WEnergy Global CEO Atem S. Ramsundersingh, ARC President Quintin Jose V. Pastrana, and MCPHC Treasurer Jose Antonio Gozun, alongside LANDBANK Executive Vice President Charlotte I. Conde and First Vice President Ann Marijell B. Ong. Also present as witnesses were Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara and H.E. Ambassador of the Netherlands Marielle Geraedts.

ARC is a special-purpose company established to develop and operate renewable and hybrid energy systems. It is backed by a consortium composed of Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Corporation (MCPHC), CleanGrid Partners Pte. Ltd., and WEnergy Global Pte. Ltd. — the pioneering company in off-grid and hybrid power systems — bringing together complementary expertise in energy infrastructure technology planning and design, and investments, project development, and operations management.

"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," said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz.

WEnergy Global CEO Ramsundersingh said that LANDBANK’s commitment to empower Filipinos for a better future and WEnergy Global’s mission of powering change meet where it matters most: in the daily lives of families, children, and small entrepreneurs who need reliable electricity to learn, work, thrive, and build a better future.

“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,” he added.

“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,” affirmed ARC President Pastrana.

Meanwhile, highlighting the international collaboration behind the initiative, Ambassador Geraedts underscored the role of Dutch expertise in advancing sustainable energy solutions.

“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,” said Ambassador Geraedts.

ARC’s microgrid portfolio is recognized as an energy project of national significance, supporting broader efforts to expand electrification across underserved areas nationwide while reducing dependence on fossil fuel-based generation and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.

Through this partnership, LANDBANK reinforces its role as a key financing partner for transformative infrastructure that delivers both economic and social impact. The initiative also forms part of the Bank’s broader thrust to advance sustainability and climate-resilient development by supporting investments in renewable energy, environmental protection, and inclusive growth. 

FILIPINO

₱800-M pondo, kuryente na 24/7 sa Palawan, palalawigin

inangunahan nina LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (gitnang kanan) at WEnergy Global CEO Atem S. Ramsundersingh (gitnang kaliwa) ang paglagda ng ₱800-milyong financing agreement para sa pagpapatayo ng hybrid renewable energy-powered microgrids sa mga komunidad sa Palawan, kasama sina Archipelago Renewables Corporation President Quintin Jose V. Pastrana (ikatlo mula sa kaliwa), Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Corporation Treasurer Jose Antonio Gozun (ikalawa mula sa kaliwa), LANDBANK Executive Vice President Charlotte I. Conde (ikatlo mula sa kanan), at First Vice President Ann Marijell B. Ong (ikalawa mula sa kanan). Naging saksi naman sa kasunduan sina Ambassador of the Netherlands Marielle Geraedts (pinaka-kaliwa) at Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Guevara (pinaka-kanan).

​May paparating na liwanag sa mga liblib na komunidad sa Palawan matapos maglaan ang LANDBANK ng ₱800 milyong pondo para sa mga bagong microgrid na maghahatid ng tuloy-tuloy at abot-kayang kuryente sa libu-libong pamilya at negosyo.

Ito’y matapos lagdaan ang isang ₱800-milyong financing facility para sa Archipelago Renewables Corporation (ARC) upang magtayo ng 16 na smart off-grid infrastructure at mahigit 175 kilometro ng linya ng kuryente gamit ang hybrid renewable energy systems para sa 14 na barangay o mahigit 7,100 na kabahayan na sakop ng Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO).

Kasama ang Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Corporation (MCPHC), CleanGrid Partners Pte. Ltd., at WEnergy Global Pte. Ltd., layunin ng ARC na maghatid ng maaasahan at abot-kayang kuryente sa mga kabahayan, negosyo, paaralan, at iba’t-ibang mga facilities.

Pormal na nilagdaan nina LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, WEnergy Global CEO Atem S. Ramsundersingh, ARC President Quintin Jose V. Pastrana, at MCPHC Treasurer Jose Antonio Gozun ang kasunduan noong June 22, 2026 sa LANDBANK Plaza sa Maynila.

Nakiisa rin sa paglagda sina LANDBANK Executive Vice President Charlotte I. Conde at First Vice President Ann Marijell B. Ong, Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Guevara at Ambassador of the Netherlands Marielle Geraedts.

Ayon kay LANDBANK President at CEO Ortiz, hindi lang kuryente ang hatid ng proyekto kundi mas maraming oportunidad para sa kabuhayan at mas maayos na buhay sa mga komunidad.

Binigyang-diin naman ni WEnergy Global CEO Ramsundersingh na malaking tulong ito para sa mga pamilya at maliliit na negosyo—mula sa mas mahabang oras ng operasyon hanggang sa mas maayos na pag-aaral ng mga kabataan sa gabi.

Para naman kay ARC President Pastrana, isang mahalagang hakbang ang proyekto sa pagpapalawak ng access sa renewable energy sa mga komunidad sa Palawan na matagal nang nangangailangan ng mas maaasahang suplay ng kuryente.

Pinuri rin ni Ambassador Geraedts ang WEnergy Global, na nagkamit na ng dalawang Dr. Albert Winsemius Award sa Singapore dahil sa kahusayan ng mga proyektong ipinatutupad nito.

Bahagi ito ng mas malawak na layunin ng LANDBANK na palawakin ang access sa malinis na enerhiya at itulak ang kaunlaran sa mga lugar na matagal nang walang sapat na serbisyo sa kuryente.