CEBU CITY, March 23 -- A consortium is set to commence the development of a 150-megawatt solar power plant in Daanbantayan, Cebu to address the increasing energy demand of the province and help solve the widespread power outages in neighboring Panay Island.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said in a statement on Saturday that the solar power plant, to be situated in Barangay Talisay and at no cost to the local government except for the 185-hectare lot, will be developed, operated and maintained by Spain-based Acciona Energia Global and local firm Freya Renewables Inc. through a 25-year concession.

Garcia met with the executives of the consortium, Daanbantayan Mayor Shun Shimura and officials of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines ...