Helios Solar Energy Corporation, a joint venture between local developer Gregorio Araneta Inc (“GAI”) and Soleq, awarded an EPC Contract to the Group in March 2015. Soleq is the solar arm of Asian renewable energy giant Equis Pte Ltd (Equis).

Jean-Christophe Perraud, CEO of Bouygues Energies & Services, said: “Following the construction of three solar farms in Thailand by Bouygues Energies & Services with Bouygues Thai, our customer renewed its confidence in us for a new photovoltaic plant in the Philippines. We are delighted and hope that we will develop more joint projects in the future.”

The turnkey EPC contract includes a commitment on the performance of the facility at the time of handover and during the early years of operation.

Works got under way in May 2015. More than 425,000 panels were installed on a surface of 170 hectares. The plant, which has just been hooked up to the national grid, will generate approximately 190,000 MWh per year, equivalent to the average consumption of almost 170,000 households in the Philippines.

Bouygues Construction will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the plant for a period of four years, with approximately sixty local employees working on site.

Development and local involvement

The Philippines economy is experiencing strong annual growth (between 6 and 7% per year for 3 years) but the country is suffering from a chronic deficiency of energy production. The development of renewable energies is the subject of an ambitious government programme that has made the Philippines one of the most significant Asian markets in this area.

Bouygues Construction, which is keen to develop its Energies & Services activities in Asia, has supported the local economy in carrying out this project. The Group recruited and trained more than 1,500 local employees, some of whom will also be involved in operating and maintaining the solar farm. Bouygues Construction is also taking action to support local communities, improving access to education and combating under-nutrition in neighbouring villages.

Bouygues Energies & Services develops tailor-made and turnkey projects for photovoltaic, thermal, cogeneration and waste-to-energy power generation plants. The Bouygues Construction subsidiary is capable of delivering all aspects of a project, whether it be financial engineering, design and construction or operation and maintenance. It has solid references in the construction and operation of photovoltaic plants in France, Thailand and the United Kingdom.