Black & Veatch, a recognized global engineering and construction specialist, has completed a 3-hectare floating solar power plant on the Malubog reservoir for Carmen Copper Corporation. With 8,540 solar panels and a capacity of up to 4.99 megawatts, the system will supply 10% of the mine’s electricity demand, laying the foundation for a projected expansion of up to 50 MW.
The engineering of the floating solar plant
This project was developed under an EPC contract, where the company undertook the design, procurement and construction. Execution was completed in 15 months, with more than 250,000 man-hours without safety incidents.
The floating solar plant will help the country move toward its goal of 35% renewable generation by 2030, and 50% by 2040, according to the Department of Energy’s roadmap. The location on the reservoir is no accident: it reduces water evaporation, improves the efficiency of the panels through natural cooling, and avoids occupying land intended for other uses.
Carmen Copper, a subsidiary of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation, seeks with this initiative to integrate clean energy into its operations, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The model is replicable for other mines and industries with water bodies, integrating environmental sustainability with economic viability.
Source and photo: Black & Veatch
