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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider First Gen powers South Supermarket with solar

First Gen powers South Supermarket with solar

Published Jul 20, 2026 12:00 am  |  Updated Jul 18, 2026 05:27 pm
A drone shot of the solar carport that First Gen constructed at the South Supermarket branch in Los Banos, Laguna. The South Supermarket chain, which is owned and operated by Grand Union Supermarket, Inc., has partnered with the First Gen Group to source part of the electricity requirements of the supermarket chain from solar PV facilities constructed by First Gen on-site. The branches in Los Banos and Malolos, Bulacan, are the initial South Supermarket outlets to get the solar carports.
A drone shot of the solar carport that First Gen constructed at the South Supermarket branch in Los Banos, Laguna. The South Supermarket chain, which is owned and operated by Grand Union Supermarket, Inc., has partnered with the First Gen Group to source part of the electricity requirements of the supermarket chain from solar PV facilities constructed by First Gen on-site. The branches in Los Banos and Malolos, Bulacan, are the initial South Supermarket outlets to get the solar carports.

Lopez-led First Gen Corp. is continuing its renewable energy (RE) expansion after securing a partnership with Grand Union Supermarket Inc. (Grand Union) to supply solar energy to its branches in Bulacan and Laguna provinces.

In a statement last week, First Gen said Grand Union, owner of the South Supermarket chain, would operate select grocery branches under solar power after completing its first solar carports last May.

The project was completed roughly a year after First Gen commenced construction and about a year and a half after both companies signed an agreement for the projects in January 2025.

The solar installations, located in parking lots of South Supermarket branches in Malolos City, Bulacan, and Los Baños town in Laguna, entailed the installation of more than 1,600 photovoltaic (PV) panels with a combined capacity of one megawatt-peak (MWp).

According to First Gen, the use of solar power at both South Supermarket branches could avoid an estimated 527 tons of carbon emissions from electricity consumption, equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by more than 24,200 trees in a year.

“South Supermarket’s management has also noted a reduction in electricity costs, most evident during peak solar generation periods in the daytime, which aligns with its business hours. The cost savings will in turn enable the supermarket chain to offer customers better deals and improve the shopping experience,” First Gen said.

Mark Malabanan, First Gen Energy Solutions Inc. vice president for solar and commercial business development, said the solar installations at these branches have been generating cost savings while making their operations more environmentally sustainable for the communities they serve.

Established in 1967 as an independent, family-owned supermarket corporation, Grand Union owns and operates 13 South Supermarket branches nationwide, while First Gen has a diverse portfolio of 31 facilities that generate electricity from solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy. - Gabriell Christel Galang

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