During its presentation on Monday at Seda Hotel, First Gen–Energy Development Corporation (First Gen-EDC) confirmed the growing demand for renewable energy in the region, noting that “our retail customers are growing in Mindanao.” The company said that the bulk of its retail customers are located in Mindanao, with almost all committed to sourcing power from the Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant.
First Gen-EDC has the largest portfolio of power plants using clean, renewable, and indigenous fuels such as steam, water, wind, solar, and natural gas. It currently operates and develops a total of 30 power plants and projects across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
In Mindanao, two of the seven power plants owned by First Gen are fully operational. These include the Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant in Kidapawan City with a capacity of 108 megawatts (MW), one of the company’s largest renewable energy facilities in the country, and the Agusan Mini-Hydroelectric Plant in Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, with a capacity of 1.6 MW.
The other five Mindanao projects include the 32-MWBubunawan Hydroelectric Plant (under development); the 7- to 120-MW Amacan Geothermal Plant (under development); the 100-MW Mt. Zion Geothermal Plant(pre-development); the 32-MW San Isidro Hydroelectric Plant (pre-development);and the 42-MW Puyo Hydroelectric Plant (pre-development). Projects underdevelopment are already in the construction phase, while those in pre-development are still undergoing permitting and preparatory processes.
In Mindanao, First Gen’s retail partners, also referred to as its contestable market are companies that demand 100-percent renewable geothermal power to help reduce their carbon footprint. Among these partners are Holcim, Jollibee, Zuellig Pharma, Philippine Airlines, and others. A few months ago, First Gen also confirmed that Capitol University Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City is now fully powered by renewable energy.
First Gen said customers are drawn to renewable energy fortwo main reasons: affordability and environmental sustainability. Renewable power offers stable pricing since it is locally sourced and not dollar-denominated, unlike coal power whose prices fluctuate in the global market. In addition, renewable energy is value-added tax (VAT)-free as mandated by Philippine law.
According to First Gen, the long-term advantage of renewable energy lies in its sustainability, as properly harnessed resources can operate reliably for many years.
Now on its 50th year of operations, First Gen-EDC is targeting to increase its power capacity to 13 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 from its current installed capacity of about 3.7 GW. The company is optimistic about achieving this goal, citing growth driven by renewable energy projects, natural gas developments, and a growing customer base, as it continues to support partners in their decarbonization journeys.
Charo Logarta Lagamon, the assistant vice president and deputy head of corporate communications of First Gen -Energy Development Corporation (EDC) shares to some members of the Davao media the current retail partners-customers of First Gen in MIndanao who opted to use renewable and low-carbon energy in their operations at Seda Hotel on Monday (Jan. 19).
Frances Ariola, the head of corporate communications of EDC discusses on the seven hydroelectric plants in Mindanao specifically the fully operational 102-MW- Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant in Kidapawan City and Agusan Mini-Hydroelectric Plant in Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, with a capacity of 1.6 MW.
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