UPC-AC Energy Solar to construct a 420MWp solar project in India

PRESS RELEASE

UPC-AC Energy Solar to construct a 420MWp solar project in India 

• The 300 MWac (420 MWp) Masaya Solar is set to provide approximately 500 jobs in Khandwa District
• The solar plant will produce 691 GWh of clean power and avoid approximately 635,720 MT of CO2 emissions per year

January 30, 2022 – UPC-AC Energy Solar, the joint venture company of UPC Solar Asia Pacific and AC Energy Corporation (ACEN), commenced construction of their 300 MWac (420 MWp) Masaya Solar farm. Through their joint venture company, UPC-AC Energy Solar, they have built a total of 630 MWp across India to date.

The Masaya Solar farm project is located in the Khandwa District, State of Madhya Pradesh, set to produce 691 GWh of renewable energy per year while avoiding approximately 635,720 MT of CO2 emissions annually. The project will also create approximately 500 jobs during its construction stage. Once completed, the Masaya Solar farm will be UPC-AC Energy Solar’s third and largest solar project in India.

UPC-AC Energy Solar is in the process of securing a 20-year loan from the State Bank of India for the project which has an estimated project cost of USD 220 million under a 75:25 debt-to-equity financing scheme, with the JV supplying electricity at INR 2.71 per kWh fixed over a 25-year period under a power supply agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

“Working hand-in-hand with an extremely competent and enthusiastic team in India and beyond, I am confident that this project will stand the test of both time and budget in this challenging COVID scenario. India is one of the world’s largest consumers of energy and producers of renewable energy. We understand the country’s urgency to increase its production of renewables to help meet the demand and support the country’s progress.” said Pranab Kumar Sarmah, CEO of UPC-AC Energy Solar and co-founder of UPC Solar Asia Pacific. “This landmark development will be a significant addition to the country’s renewables capacity.”

Brian Caffyn, UPC Renewables Chairman said “I’m very proud of the team and this project showcases our core competencies from early stage development to commissioning of large projects. As we expand our renewables footprint in the region, we remain fully committed in helping India achieve their sustainable energy goals, and aid in the country’s socio-economic progress, especially during these challenging times.”

“We are delighted that our partnership with UPC Solar continues to bear fruit in India. The success of our maiden projects, both reaching operational status in Q2 2021 despite the tumultuous COVID-19 crisis, bodes well for the 420 MWp Masaya Solar project,” said Patrice Clausse, Head of ACEN’s International Group. “Though the pandemic continues to present challenges, we are confident that we will complete the construction of this solar development safely and at the earliest possible time, to contribute even more meaningfully to India’s renewable energy goals.”

Masaya Solar in India is the latest in UPC-AC Energy Solar’s string of initiatives to expand its solar energy footprint in India and the region and lead the charge in the renewables revolution.

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About UPC-AC Energy Solar 

UPC-AC Energy Solar is a 50-50 joint venture company between ACEN (through AC Renewables International Pte. Ltd.), and UPC Renewables (through UPC Solar Asia Pacific Limited) for the development, construction and operations of solar projects in the Asia- Pacific region.

About UPC Renewables

UPC Renewables is one of the largest independent renewable energy companies in the Asia Pacific region with more than 1GW of assets in operation and construction, and more than 10GW of assets in development. UPC Renewables, established in 1995 and active in Asia since 2006, operates 13 offices globally, with 11 offices in 9 countries throughout the Asia Pacific region. The UPC group has developed more than 4.5GW of operating wind and solar generating assets across 5 continents with an investment value of over US$8.4bn.  After successfully pioneering markets in the United States, Canada and Europe, the company now focuses on the growth markets of Asia and Australia where the clean renewable energy transition has only just started.

www.upcrenewables.com

About ACEN (Formerly AC Energy)

ACEN is the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group. The company has over 3,000 MW of attributable capacity in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Australia. The company’s renewable share of capacity is at ~80%, among the highest in the region.

ACEN’s aspiration is to be the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia, with a goal of reaching 5,000 MW of renewables capacity by 2025. In October 2021, ACEN announced its commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

www.acen.com.ph

For inquiries and more information, please contact:

Irene Maranan
Head – Corporate Communications and Sustainability
Email:  maranan.is@acenergy.com

Kenny Lau
Office Manager – UPC Renewables Limited
Email: kenny.lau@upcrenewables.com
Contact number: +852 2673 223