Cebu-based AppleOne Group has entered the renewable energy sector with the launch of Astronergy, a new subsidiary focused on solar power generation.
Astronergy’s first project is a solar farm in Zamboanga del Norte spanning about 25 hectares and equipped with 10,000 solar panels.
The facility is expected to produce 7 megawatts (MW) of direct current in its initial phase and supply power to the regional grid under a power purchase agreement with Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (ZANECO).
Now in the testing and commissioning stage, the solar farm is slated to be fully operational by September 2025.
AppleOne plans to expand capacity to 20–25 MW in future phases and connect to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to serve both regional and inter-island electricity demand.
“We’ve always been deliberate in where we grow the business,” said AppleOne Group President and CEO Ray Manigsaca. “Energy is a natural next step for us. We saw an opportunity to add value to our communities and support the country’s energy transition.”
The venture aligns with the Philippine government’s efforts to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthen energy self-sufficiency.
A recent report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) underscored the need to accelerate domestic renewable energy development to ensure long-term grid stability and affordability.
Beyond energy production, the project is expected to generate regional economic benefits including job creation and improved power reliability for local communities.
Zamboanga del Norte was selected for its available land, access to transmission lines, and scalability. While the current output is committed to ZANECO, AppleOne is exploring joint ventures and foreign partnerships to expand its renewable energy portfolio nationwide.
AppleOne is known for real estate and hospitality projects such as Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort and Mahi Center. Its entry into energy is part of a broader strategy to invest in sectors with long-term economic and social impact.
“Reliable power transforms how communities grow, how businesses operate, and how people live,” Manigsaca said. “That’s the kind of future we want to help build.”
CebuBusinessNews.ph
