US engineer Jacobs will help build a $3.3bn, 3.5GW solar farm and a 4.5GW battery system in the Philippines to help it cut its dependence on coal for power generation.

Located on a 30-sq-km site 150km north of Manila, the “Terra Solar” project will be one of the world’s biggest solar farms, and is expected to meet around 12% of the Philippines’ total energy demand.

The client is Terra Solar Philippines, a subsidiary of SP New Energy Corporation, which is majority owned by power utility Meralco.

Jacobs said it would use digital construction management tools and drones to manage field tasks and track progress.

“The Philippines is highly dependent on coal for electricity generation,” said Jacobs Vice President Fiachra Ó Cléirigh.

“The Terra Solar project will significantly reduce the country’s reliance on coal, decrease energy-related emissions and bolster progress toward a more sustainable, secure and resilient energy system.”

The world’s biggest solar farm – with 3.5GW generating capacity spread over 133 sq km – began operating in June this year in western China’s Xinjiang region.