ACEN Corp. said in a Sept. 18 disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange that its subsidiaries have given up solar energy operating contracts for projects in Quezon and Zambales provinces.

Abagat Energy Corp. relinquished its contract for a site in Pagbilao, Quezon, on Sept. 11 because of “significant land acquisition challenges affecting the project site.” SolarAce2 Energy Corp. relinquished its contract for Botolan, Zambales, on Sept. 17, citing site-access constraints.

The Philippine Department of Energy awarded the Pagbilao contract in August 2024 and the Botolan contract in June 2021. Its list of awarded solar projects, current to Dec. 31, 2025, puts their potential capacity at 336 MW and 120.30 MW, respectively, with both still in development.

ACEN said the cancellations have no material effect on its operations, as neither project had reached a final investment decision or begun commercial operations.

The department terminated 84 renewable energy contracts in 2025, representing about 5,372 MW of potential capacity, over failures to meet work-program requirements, auction terms, and other department standards. It said in December 2025 that a further 42 projects were under review and warned that noncompliant developers could face blacklisting and forfeiture of performance bonds.

ACEN reported about 7.5 GW of attributable renewable capacity, including capacity under construction, in its August investor presentation, and CEO John Eric Francia said in April the company was on track to exceed 8 GW by the end of 2026, according to Philippine daily BusinessWorld.

Land acquisition problems have delayed other Philippine solar projects. In October 2024, at least 53 of 105 renewable energy projects under department review faced termination, and failure to secure possessory rights was among the reasons cited for delays.

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