Academic institution De La Salle-Lipa, which is reinforcing its sustainability practices, has renewed its power supply agreement (PSA) with Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the pure renewable energy subsidiary of Lopez-led First Gen Corporation.
In a statement to the media, EDC noted that the power supply deal will last for another two years and the electricity to be supplied will be from one of the geothermal generating facilities of the Lopez group.
“Known for being a champion of renewable energy, this is the university’s second time to renew its partnership with the world’s leading geothermal producer,” EDC said.
The virtual signing of the supply agreement was consummated on Tuesday, Dec. 14, between Dr Erickson Martinez, chancellor of De La Salle Lipa; and Marvin Kenneth S. Bailon, head of EDC’s Business Development-Market Planning and Contracts.
For this renewed lease on their partnership, DLSL President and Chancellor Br Dante Jose Amisola (FSC) indicated that “our goal of creating a sustainable future for generations to come includes providing our students with a learning environment that preserves our planet and getting power from renewables through First Gen -- and EDC is a crucial part of it.”
The power contract between EDC and De La Salle Lipa had been anchored on the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) policy of the restructured electricity sector – and the scale of power to be delivered - at 1.4 megawatts, will be from the Bacon-Manito (BacMan) geothermal plant.
As emphasized by EDC, “DLSL has not only been enjoying reliable power at cost-competitive rates since it first shifted to renewable energy in 2017...the facility has also enabled DLSL to avoid 3,870 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions.”
Bailon similarly stated that the university’s decision to patronize RE as its power supply source is a manifestation that DLSL still “fulfills its sustainable development goals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The EDC executive added “this partnership helps us fulfill our mission of forging collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future, which essentially calls for us to create exponential positive impact on the environment and society.”
The Lopez firm similarly conveyed that because of DLSL’s sustainability efforts – including its choice to champion green technology on its energy usage – it has been gaining global recognition; and the latest one is its internationally-acclaimed Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Silver Rating that was bestowed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
By far, De La Salle Lipa has been the first academic institution from the Philippines to be accorded with this exemplary recognition.