Philippines
San Carlos Ecozone, a 212-hectare Special Economic Zone approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, serves as a multifaceted industrial estate and export processing zone, with additional residential and commercial functionalities. This designation allows businesses establishing operations within the ecozone to benefit from special incentives under the law. As part of a larger economic diversification plan aimed at transitioning the economy away from the declining sugar industry, the ecozone is poised to attract a diverse range of agro-based manufacturing industries.
San Carlos Ecozone, situated in Barangays Palampas and Punao in San Carlos City, is the first ecozone in the province and is developed and operated by San Julio Realty, Inc., the real estate company of Cong. Julio A. Ledesma IV. The ecozone is envisioned as a world-class, environment-friendly industrial estate, complemented by residential communities, commercial and recreational facilities, an airport, parks, schools, and other establishments. This ambitious project is expected to significantly contribute to the economic growth and transformation of the City of San Carlos.
San Carlos Ecozone: Green Initiatives & Energy Projects
Existing within the ecozone is the P3-billion San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. (SCBI), a sugarcane-based ethanol and co-generation plant, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The plant processes a maximum of 1,500 tons of sugarcane daily to produce 125,000 liters of bioethanol and generate a rated capacity of around 7.4MW, with at least 2.4 MWh supplied to the power grid. Additionally, the groundbreaking of the P3.5-billion 18 megawatt multi-feedstock biomass power plant by San Carlos BioPower Inc. is a crucial step toward expanding the ecozone’s energy footprint. This biomass power plant, occupying a 20-hectare site within the ecozone, will be fueled by various agricultural residues, further contributing to the ecozone’s sustainable energy initiatives.
The ecozone is also poised to become the site of solar and wind farms, with expected capacities of 10 megawatts of solar power and 25 to 30 megawatts of wind power. Moreover, plans for a Japanese plant producing head pieces and a shipbuilding facility within the San Carlos Economic Zone are underway, reflecting the diversified industrial landscape envisioned for the ecozone.
Central Business District and Renewable Energy Facilities at San Carlos Ecozone
Inside the ecozone, the 100-hectare San Carlos City Center serves as the envisioned New Central Business District, housing commercial establishments such as the San Carlos Center Mall, the new City Hall, and a recreational park. The presence of San Carlos Sun Power Inc. (SacaSun), AboitizPower’s first solar power plant venture, operating a 59 MWp utility-scale solar photovoltaic facility in San Carlos City, further strengthens the ecozone’s renewable energy portfolio. SacaSun’s operations significantly contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions over 20 years, equivalent to removing around 10,000 cars from the road.
San Carlos Ecozone stands as a testament to the Philippines’ commitment to fostering sustainable economic development and energy sufficiency. The presence of vital power plants within the ecozone, including the San Carlos Bioenergy, Inc. (SCBI) and the 45 MW San Carlos Solar Energy Inc. (SACASOL), reflects the city’s dedication to sustainable energy practices and its potential to meet the country’s fuel and energy demands. The planned 19 MW biomass project of the San Carlos Bio Power Plant further underscores the ecozone’s commitment to bolstering the power supply of the city and province.