FEU renews bulk power deal with First Gen
By Maria Bernadette Romero – 23 Dec 2024, 00:20
from The Daily Tribune
‘We take great pride in now operating fully on renewable power, some of which is own-produced, but mostly through this partnership’
Far Eastern University (FEU) has renewed its partnership with First Gen Corporation to secure the direct supply of renewable energy for its campuses in Manila and Alabang to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.
Under an agreement, First Gen will supply 600 kilowatts of electricity to FEU Alabang in Muntinlupa and 650 kW to the FEU Institute of Technology near the main FEU campus in Manila.
“We take a holistic operational view in the delivery of continual academic improvement. We aim to have the greatest social and learning impact with the smallest environmental footprint,” FEU president Juan Miguel Montinola said.
“We take great pride in now operating fully on renewable power, some of which is own-produced, but mostly through this partnership. This power supply agreement, plus our investments in inefficient air conditioning systems, all within the context of the continued preservation of historical and significant cultural heritage buildings and landmarks, is very fulfilling for us as educators and as an example to our students.”
7-year partnership
FEU first partnered with First Gen in 2017 when the energy company began supplying power to parts of FEU’s main campus in Manila under the government’s Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program.
RCOA allows qualified electricity customers with a monthly peak demand of at least 500 kW to choose their power suppliers.
“Diversifying power sources and working with independent power producers help reduce volatility in power costs but also the overall carbon footprint,” said Carlo Vega, First Gen vice president for Marketing, Trading and Economics. “We’re privileged to work with FEU over the past seven years, expanding to other campuses as they move forward in their decarbonization journey.”
First Gen is the Philippines’ largest producer of renewable energy, with an installed capacity of 1,651 megawatts (MW) from 28 solar, wind, hydro and geothermal power plants.
The company also operates four natural gas power plants with a combined capacity of 3,668 MW, which serves as a transition fuel to support a decarbonized future and enhance energy security.
