Floatovoltaics in the Philippines: Black & Veatch Completes 5-MW Floating Solar to Power Copper Mine

U.S.-based engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor Black & Veatch has completed its work on the 5-MW floating solar project designed to power mining operations in the Philippines.

The 3-hectare floating solar array on Malubog Reservoir is commissioned by Carmen Copper Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation.  It features 8,540 solar panels, which could generate enough power to meet 10% of the mine’s electricity demand.

This is the first floating solar array developed within the Philippines at a utility scale, according to the project developers. The project is designed to scale up to 50 MW, with the potential to eventually power all of Carmen Copper’s operations with renewable energy.

“This project exemplifies how engineering excellence and environmental stewardship can converge to deliver transformative infrastructure,” said Jerin Raj, Asia Pacific managing director for Black & Veatch. “Our engineering, procurement and construction professionals worked alongside the Carmen Copper team to complete this project on time and on budget in just 15 months, with more than 250,000 man-hours without lost time due to injury.”

Black & Veatch served as the EPC contractor for the project and managed every phase from design and sourcing to installation and commissioning. Using solar panels fixed at a constant tilt angle for the project, the power from the sun will prove helpful during peak energy hours, paring dependence on fossil fuels.

Floating solar — also known as floatovoltaics — can offer renewable energy options for land-constrained regions. By utilizing water surfaces, it improves panel efficiency through natural cooling and reduces water evaporation.