Switch to renewable energy: A first step to sustainability

ACEN RES gathers 350 business leaders for “Resurgence,” an event focused on sustainability and business

BY MB Business – Aug 21, 2024 03:19 PM

The concept of “sustainability” has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years and continuous discussion on different frameworks, understanding, and best practices remain critical for businesses to achieve their sustainability goals. It is in reference to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – 17 aims that serve as a call-to-action to achieve decent lives for all (improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth) on a healthy planet (protection and mitigations)  by 2030.

In a 2021 research study by Kantar, it was revealed that 75% of Filipinos prefer businesses or brands that implement mitigations to lessen their environmental impact, thus challenging industries to adopt sustainable measures in business operations. ACEN RES, the retail electricity arm of ACEN, an Ayala company, has recently staged “Resurgence,” an event that gathered 350 business leaders to provide them with learning and onboarding experience on Renewable Energy (RE), Sustainability, Green Mobility, and their convergence with business and the bottom line.

“Many business owners were unsure of sustainability and its impact on the bottom line.  We organized ‘Resurgence’ to address that and inspire them to take first steps in embarking on a sustainability journey,” shares Tony Valdez, ACEN SVP for Market Transformation.

Pioneering and committing to working further

As a pioneer in sustainability through RE, the company supplies electricity to hundreds of businesses in Luzon and Visayas through the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) and Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) which are both government initiatives allowing specific electricity consumers to choose their electric power supplier.  Those with at least 100 kilowatts monthly demand may participate in GEOP with 100% electric power coming from renewable energy sources (e.g. solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass). Those with a demand of at least 500 kilowatts, on the other hand, are eligible to choose their own electric power supplier with a portion or 100% of the supply coming from RE under RCOA.

During the Resurgence conference, ACEN president and CEO, Eric Francia, reinforced the company’s position as a renewables leader in the region and thanked ACEN RES’ partners for joining them in their transformational journey.

In his opening remarks, Eric Francia, ACEN President and CEO, shared how seriously committed the company is in being a dependable business partner in this journey to sustainability.  “We want to be your partners in this transformational journey. We are well-equipped to do that as the Ayala group. ACEN is a pioneer leader, and we are serious in terms of scaling up renewable energy, both in the Philippines and around the region. We really look forward to celebrating this partnership with you because after all, we are in this together as trailblazers in this sustainability journey that we’re all going through.”

Sharing and recognizing best practices in sustainability

Sustainability thought leaders from SGV, Kantar, and Schneider Sustainability School provided frameworks and the baseline knowledge on sustainability, citing case studies and insights on how local and global businesses started their journeys as well as their outcomes. Meanwhile, in her presentation, Jo Ann Eala, BPI vice president and head of sustainability, shared how adopting RE and practice of sustainability have driven efficiency and profitability while managing downside risks among her clients.

Some of the company’s clients like Ajinomoto, Penshoppe Group, De La Salle University, and Ayala Property Management Corp (APMC) also shared their experiences with the hope of inspiring other business leaders to embark in a similar journey to sustainability. Case studies on how sustainability efforts are paying off in terms of return, savings, reducing risk, and growing the business were presented and how switching to renewable energy is an easy first step.

The event also served as an opportunity for the company to unveil the REENA (Renewable Energy Enabler Awards) which recognized ACEN RES customers Pacific Synergy Corp., E.L. Laboratories, Glacier Megafridge, Golden Harvests, Jotun Philippines,  J2NS Property Development Corp., Uratex/RGC Group of Companies, and University of San Carlos for their significant sustainability programs and for partnering with the company’s various advocacies.

ACEN managing director and COO for Philippine operations, Miguel de Jesus, and Ayala Corporation chief sustainability and risk officer, Jaime Urquijo, presented the Renewable Energy Enabler Awards (REENA) to companies that have pledged in the fight against climate change by partnering with ACEN RES.

Working towards a full green experience

In his closing remarks, Jaime Alfonso Zobel De Ayala,  ACMobility CEO, has committed further that the company will leverage its partnership with ACEN to develop a fully green charging network to aid businesses in having a completely green mobility experience.

ACMobility CEO, Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, encouraged businesses to shift to electric vehicles (EV) for their mobility and logistics operations to bolster their sustainability commitments while providing a cost-saving solution for their operations.

“The proposition we’d like to make to you as business owners is that we can leverage our relationships with ACEN to develop a fully green charging network so that your entire mobility experience is completely green from the point of purchase throughout the entire usage. And we will work with you, hopefully, to develop that proposition by putting the infrastructure in place that’s convenient and that enables your business to save money and continue to move forward.”