Commissioned by Carmen Copper Corporation, the 3-hectare floating solar array on Malubog Reservoir features 8,540 solar panels generating up to 4.99 megawatts (MW) of clean energy — enough to meet 10% of the mine’s power needs, the first step to meeting the Philippines Department of Energy goal of 35% by 2030. The project is designed to scale up to 50 MW, with the potential to fully power 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. We are incredibly proud of our team that delivered this first-of-a-kind facility in the Philippines.”

Built by a proven EPC leader

Black & Veatch served as the EPC contractor — a role that encompasses engineering, procurement and construction — managing every phase from design and sourcing to installation and commissioning. As a trusted EPC partner, Black & Veatch brings more than 100 years of experience managing large, complex infrastructure projects across energy, water, telecommunications and AI data center sectors.

“This initiative reflects Carmen Copper’s commitment to responsible mining and environmental stewardship, while aligning with the Department of Energy’s target to have renewable energy account for at least half of the country’s total power capacity by 2040,” said Atty. Axel G. Tumulak, Carmen Copper Head of Legal, Compliance, and Corporate Governance. Carmen Copper is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation.

A model for sustainable mining

Floating solar — also known as floatovoltaics — offers a compelling solution for land-constrained regions. By utilizing water surfaces, it improves panel efficiency through natural cooling and reduces water evaporation. This project sets a benchmark for replicable, scalable renewable energy solutions in mining and other industrial sectors.

Using solar panels fixed at a constant tilt angle, the power from the sun will prove invaluable during peak energy hours, paring dependence on fossil fuels while underscoring Carmen Copper’s desire to meet environmental compliance standards and achieve its own goals to be more energy responsible.