Mindanao Container Terminal gets powered by the sun

The Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) in the Philippines has started operating exclusively on solar power during daylight hours.

MCT started sourcing solar power on 14 February under a retail supply contract with PrimeRES Energy Corporation within the Philippine energy department’s Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) framework. MCT will use solar power generated by PrimeRES’es solar power supply during daylight hours.

At night, the terminal will draw power from PrimeRES’es supply portfolio, ensuring 24/7 energy supply. This hybrid solution maximizes the use of renewable energy while maintaining operational stability.

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The Mindanao Container Terminal is a key gateway for the region, and reducing carbon emissions from our operations aligns with ICTSI’s broader environmental objectives. This shift to solar power reflects our commitment to sustainability and demonstrates the steps we are taking to lower emissions.

… said Aurelio C. Garcia, MCT president and general manager.

ICTSI, through its subsidiary Mindanao International Container Terminal Services Inc. (MICTSI), recently secured a 25-year extension to operate and manage MCT. As part of its long-term plan to enhance capacity and efficiency, MCT will invest more than $100 million in infrastructure upgrades. The investment includes a 300-meter berth extension and the acquisition of new equipment to support projected cargo volume growth.

Once completed, these upgrades are expected to increase the terminal’s annual capacity beyond its current 350,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The berth extension will accommodate larger vessels and support new service routes, improving connectivity for Mindanao’s importers and exporters.

The expansion aligns with government efforts to attract more investment and business activity to the region.

In an effort to reduce emissions and costs, other ports have also started using solar power. For instance, the new Valenciaport photovoltaic installation located on the vehicle silo of Valencia Terminal Europa (VTE) has been supplying renewable energy to the Port of Valencia’s electricity grid already generating 15% of the energy consumed by the facility on a daily basis.