FGen to deliver geothermal supply to WalterMart chains
In its effort to expand renewable energy (RE) integration in the retail industry, Lopez-led First Gen Corp, (FGen) has renewed its partnership with WalterMart and Abenson Group of Companies to switch their establishments to geothermal energy.
In a statement on Thursday, Nov. 20, FGen said this partnership would allow it to supply 47 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power to 47 WalterMart malls, including W department stores, WalterMart supermarkets, and Abenson stores in Metro Manila as well as central and south Luzon.
WalterMart’s accommodation businesses, such as Citadines Bay City Manila hotel in Pasay City and Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila, are also set to source their power supply from geothermal.
This partnership follows the ongoing solar development of FGen for several WalterMart malls.
Since their initial collaboration in 2019, the energy firm has been installing on-site solar facilities in WalterMart community malls across Luzon.
Before the year ends, 25 WalterMart malls will be integrated with an overall 27-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar facility as part of the retail firm’s goal to source 20 percent of its electricity requirements from solar.
Abraham Uypeckcuat, chairman of WM Shopping Center Management Inc., commended FGen for their continued partnership that would help the company reduce the environmental impact of its retail operations.
“The commitment to clean power enables our malls to operate responsibly and efficiently, reducing our carbon footprint while creating a greener future for the communities we serve. Together, we are proving that progress and sustainability can go hand in hand,” he said.
FGen President Giles Puno added that this collaboration, which began almost six years ago, has helped WalterMart operate through full RE.
“As WalterMart continues to grow and open new community spaces across the country, FGen will be ready to power every expansion and deliver what is a truly a baseload source of RE; and continue to support its solar and energy efficiency initiatives,” Puno shared.
FGen currently has a 1,700-MW RE capacity, consisting of solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal assets. Its subsidiary, Pi Energy, provides its partners with power usage optimization, such as on-site solar facilities, remote energy monitoring systems, and other energy efficiency solutions.