ACEN, the listed renewable energy platform of Ayala Corporation, has underscored its growing presence in India during the recent state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The visit, held at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India and focused on strengthening cooperation in critical sectors, including renewable energy.
As part of the high-level delegation, ACEN International CEO Patrice Clausse participated in a CEO roundtable, where he shared updates on the company’s strategic investments and partnerships in India — now one of ACEN’s most significant markets outside the Philippines.
During a CEO roundtable attended by President Marcos Jr., ACEN International CEO Patrice Clausse shared updates on the company’s investments in India, now one of its most strategically important markets outside the Philippines.
“India has become a cornerstone of our regional renewables strategy,” Clausse said. “Its ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, along with a supportive policy environment, provides a strong platform for long-term investment and collaboration.”
Since entering India in 2019, ACEN has built two major partnerships, one with UPC Renewables and another with Yanara, formerly BrightNight India. These ventures now represent over 2,100 MWdc (~1,600 MWac) of attributable capacity, including 630 MWdc (420 MWac) already operating and a robust pipeline under development across Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
“India is fast emerging as a global leader in clean energy with its visionary leadership and decisive action. This remarkable progress is built on an enabling policy framework, international cooperation, and a dynamic investment environment. In this partnership with ACEN, we’re honored to contribute to this momentum with 630 MWdc (420 MWac) in operation and over ~500 MWdc (~420 MWac) under execution,” said Alok Nigam, CEO of UPC Renewables India.
ACEN’s partnership with UPC Renewables includes three operating solar farms: 140 MWdc (100 MWac) Sitara Solar, 70 MWdc (50 MWac) Paryapt Solar and 420 MWdc (300 MWac) Masaya Solar. Meanwhile, with Yanara, ACEN is developing and building hybrid and dispatchable projects, including the 153 MWdc (114 MWac) wind-solar Optima project in Maharashtra – already partly commissioned.
Further, in immediate pipeline are a 420 MWdc (300 MWac) solar farm and two firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) projects in Rajasthan with a combined capacity of 806 MW (~709 MWac) and a 120 MW wind farm in Karnataka. These projects have already secured purchase power agreements with India’s leading power generators including Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) for 120 MW FDRE and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for 110 MW FDRE.
“Pioneering utility-scale renewable energy takes bold vision, enabling partnerships, and supportive policy,” said Jerome Ortiz, CEO of Yanara. “Our collaboration with ACEN in India and the Philippines, and the forward-looking approach of both governments, showcases the power of a truly enabling ecosystem. At Yanara, we are building a multi-gigawatt portfolio that accelerates the dual transition to cleaner power and deeper electrification – advancing both energy security and sustainability in the markets we serve”.
Clausse also underscored opportunities to further strengthen the investment environment, such as reducing delays in power purchase agreements and transmission infrastructure, streamlining regulatory processes, and ensuring timely implementation of change-in-law compensation.
“India stands out for its scale, innovation, and openness to global collaboration,” Clausse added. “We look forward to continuing our partnerships and supporting India’s clean energy goals for the decades ahead.”
