The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that evidence of human-induced climate change is unequivocal, and humanity stands to risk lives and livelihoods if no urgent action is taken to address climate impacts.
Companies in the Philippines are taking a bold step to decarbonize their businesses by shifting to renewable energy through licensed Green Energy Option Program supplier First Gen Corporation and its 100per cent renewable energy arm, Energy Development Corporation (First Gen-EDC).
Among the proud first batch of switchers are Asahi Electrical Manufacturing Corporation; Bulacan HJR International Corporation; Engtek Philippines, Inc.; Goldilocks Bakeshop group of companies; HJR International Corporation; Mary Grace Cafe (Bluemantle Industries, Inc.); Puratos Manufacturing Corporation; Puresteel Manufacturing Corporation; The Linden Suites; and TMC International Corporation.
Under the government’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), companies with an average peak demand of at least 100kW for the past 12 months can directly source their electricity from licensed providers. First Gen-EDC had the most number of GEOP switchers for the first batch, with 11 out 17 facilities signing up to avail of this program that allows them to lower their carbon footprint.
“GEOP empowers businesses by allowing them to take a strong stand for the environment and future-proof their operations as they become a part of the solution to our warming climate,” said Gideon Red Butalid, head of EDC’s Market Planning and Contracts team.
This means that any company in the country that meets the average peak demand requirement can now choose which Renewable Energy Supplier (RE Supplier) they want to partner with, depending on their budget and electricity supply requirements.
“Nothing made us realize more how scarce our resources are than the past 24 months while we continued to operate during the pandemic. In response, the team had an earnest conviction to better manage what is within our control, such the type of energy that will power our business. We’ve chosen to switch to RE for everyone’s benefit—our business and the planet’s welfare,” said Celeste Romualdo, General Manager, The Linden Suites.
These GEOP switchers’ facilities now enjoy a stable supply of clean power from First Gen-EDC’s geothermal power plant. Considered the Holy Grail among RE technologies, geothermal energy provides uninterrupted baseload power, rain or shine, all year round, or what the leading RE firm refers to as Geo 24/7. Being powered by Geo 24/7 will enable them to avoid a minimum of 0.61 tonnes of carbon dioxide per 100kW in lieu of coal each year.
Apart from being able to lower their carbon footprint, GEOP customers may enjoy more affordable electricity rates that mainly come from having zero VAT on generation charges and fixed rates that are not indexed on our foreign exchange since power is sourced from indigenous renewable energy sources. This is a major factor in making the switch as coal prices continue to soar due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the peso’s depreciation against the US dollar.
First Gen-EDC has over 1,480MW total installed capacity that accounts for 20 per cent per cent of the country’s total installed RE capacity. Their 1,181MW geothermal portfolio accounts for 62 per cent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity and has put the Philippines on the map as the 3rd largest geothermal power producer in the world. Email sales@energy.com.ph to know more about switching to RE through First Gen-EDC. ##
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