In an effort to expand renewable energy (RE) integration, Ayala-led ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES) is transitioning one of the Shangri-La properties in the country to full clean energy.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Monday, May 19, the company said The St. Francis Shangri-La Place, one of the tallest residential towers in Ortigas, Pasig City, will switch to 100-percent RE.
Because of this partnership, the building will be energized through the use of ACEN’s portfolio of solar, wind, and geothermal power.
It is expected to reduce emissions by 2,200 tons of carbon annually. According to ACEN, this is equivalent to cutting gasoline-powered vehicle travel by 8.8 million kilometers (km) per year or the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by 101,000 trees annually.
The initiative falls under the green energy option program (GEOP), which allows power consumers to utilize RE through their chosen supplier. This program was initiated by the Department of Energy (DOE) to help raise the adoption of RE.
“This partnership demonstrates the growing trend of organizations embracing renewable energy to benefit from cost savings and to accelerate their sustainability efforts,” ACEN said.
Joseph Salting, head of property management of Shang Property Management, commended its collaboration with ACEN RES.
“This transition to RE for our common areas aligns with our commitment to providing our residents with a sustainable and environmentally responsible living environment,” he said.
John Henry Liquete, ACEN’s vice president for legal, added that the company is dedicated to helping businesses adopt a cleaner source of their power.
“We commend The St. Francis Shangri-La Place for setting an example for other businesses in embracing renewable energy as a means of contributing to the country's goal of increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix,” Liquete said.
ACEN continues to be one of the fastest-growing RE platforms in the Asia-Pacific region, as it expands its portfolio beyond the Philippines through its projects and investments in Australia, Vietnam, India, Laos, as well as the United States (US).
The company currently has seven gigawatts (GW) of attributable capacity, including operating, under-construction, and committed projects.