Amid rising energy demand and intensifying climate pressures, the need for stable, sustainable, and locally sourced power has never been more urgent. The lessons of past oil crises, when dependence on imported fuel exposed the country’s vulnerabilities, continue to resonate today. Renewable energy offers a clear way forward by strengthening energy security, reducing emissions, and supporting a more resilient and future-ready energy system.

First Gen Group (First Gen) brings this vision forward to the country with the celebration of its renewable energy arm, Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) 50 years of geothermal excellence. EDC is the Group’s global and diversified renewable energy company, having an installed capacity of 1,597.57 megawatts (MW), comprising 1,302.78 MW of geothermal, 150.0 MW of wind, 132.8 MW of hydro, and 11.99 MW of solar.

When the global oil crisis hit in 1973, it was revealed that the Philippines strongly depended on imported fuel and highlighted the vulnerabilities of relying on external energy sources. It was when EDC was created under the Philippine National Oil Company, spearheading the advancement of geothermal energy as a key national strategy.

From there, EDC was given the mandate to tap into the country’s own natural resources and establish a resilient energy base that Filipinos can depend on. Since then, EDC took a step forward and showed that geothermal energy could progress from exploration to large-scale, reliable power generation. Through its earlier projects, EDC demonstrated that geothermal can provide continuous, round-the-clock electricity and established the foundation for its role as a key component of the country’s energy mix.

Since 1976, EDC has been at the forefront of the Philippines' renewable energy landscape, fulfilling its long-standing vision of global geothermal leadership. With a legacy spanning five decades, the company has consistently delivered reliable, 24/7 clean energy and put the Philippines on the map as the world’s third-largest producer of geothermal energy.

Its major geothermal facilities in Leyte and Negros have successfully provided dependable baseload power that sustained communities, powered industries, and supported economic growth. Through the 1990s, EDC has expanded its geothermal footprint across the country, including Bicol and North Cotabato. The company then surpassed the 1000-megawatt mark in the early 2000s, showing the result of decades of steady investment, technical expertise, and disciplined resource management.

EDC was fully privatized when it was acquired by First Gen Corporation in 2007. Today, EDC continues to lead the country towards a decarbonized future as a key part of First Gen’s RE portfolio.

To mark its golden milestone for geothermal, First Gen unveiled its unified corporate brand that will reinforce its leadership in RE development while addressing the evolving demands of the energy industry. Power generation, including EDC’s power plant facilities, supply, and solutions portfolio, is now integrated under the new First Gen Group brand, with renewable energy at its core.

First Gen Renewables will include all the power-generating assets, such as the 31 solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal facilities. On the other hand, First Gen Energy Supply aligns the power-generating assets to meet the shifting demands of direct supply partners, wholesale supply customers, and Wholesale Electricity Spot Market buyers. Meanwhile, First Gen Energy Solutions handles the behind-the-meter systems that optimize energy use while advancing the corporation’s sustainability objectives.

“Expectations placed on energy companies are changing. Customers are no longer asking only where power comes from, but whether they can depend on it, whether it is affordable, and whether it supports their long-term transition goals. Meeting these expectations requires more than high-performing assets–it requires us to blur the lines across the organization so that decisions are guided by customer needs, and we can respond more instinctively and immediately,” First Gen President and COO Francis Giles Puno explained.

Through the unified First Gen brand, diverse renewable energy portfolios are complemented by tailored power solutions to help businesses and stakeholders take bolder and meaningful steps toward clean energy, moving our country closer to a regenerative and decarbonized future.

To learn more about the First Gen Group, visit https://www.firstgen.com.ph.