Insider Spotlight
The transaction, valued at P75 billion, will see P62.5 billion allocated to directly fund construction and equity requirements of the projects, which are targeted for delivery by December 2030.
The portfolio includes the 600-megawatt Wawa pumped storage hydropower project in Rizal and the 1,400-megawatt Ahunan project in Laguna, for a combined 2,000 MW of long-duration energy storage capacity.
Why it matters
The projects are designed to address one of the Luzon grid’s most pressing challenges: how to absorb increasing volumes of intermittent renewable energy while maintaining system stability.
Pumped storage facilities act as large-scale batteries, storing excess power during periods of low demand and releasing it when demand peaks.
This flexible, dispatchable capacity is expected to play a critical role as solar and wind installations expand across the grid.
Both projects have been certified as Energy Projects of National Significance and secured notices of award under the Department of Energy’s green energy auction program.
What they’re saying
“These are highly complex, multi-year infrastructure developments that require deep technical expertise, disciplined execution, and strong alignment with national energy priorities,” Guillaume Lucci, president and chief executive officer of Prime Infra, said in a press statement on Feb. 13, 2026.
“We are pleased to be working hand in hand with First Gen, a trusted partner with a strong track record in power generation, to help execute these critical energy projects safely, efficiently and on schedule,” he added.
"Our investment in the 2000-MW Wawa and Pakil Pumped Storage Hydropower Projects expands our partnership with Prime Infra and embodies First Gen’s mission to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future, crystallizing our portfolio's shift to renewable energy,” said Giles Puno, First Gen president and chief operating officer.
“Together with our existing 132-MW Pantabangan-Masiway and 165-MW Casecnan hydroelectric power plants, the Wawa and Pakil plants will complement our portfolio, as pumped storage hydropower facilities provide grid stability and reliability, allowing for the seamless integration of renewable energy projects into the power system," Puno added.
The bottom line
With major civil and underground works underway in Wawa and early-stage construction started in Pakil, the projects mark a decisive move toward reinforcing Luzon’s grid with long-duration storage, reducing dependence on imported fuels and supporting a more resilient, renewable-heavy power mix. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
