First Gen and Unilever Philippines Renew Renewable Energy Partnership By:  Robert Buluma In a strong move toward sustainability, First Gen Corporation will continue to supply 10 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) to seven of Unilever Philippines’ facilities. This renewed partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. The agreement covers Unilever’s production and distribution sites across Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas . These facilities manufacture a wide array of products, from ice cream, sauces, and seasonings to beauty, personal care, and home care items. First Gen will source the power from the geothermal plants of its subsidiary, Energy Development Corp. (EDC) , located in Bicol, Tongonan in Leyte, and Palinpinon in Negros Oriental . “Since 2017, First Gen has been our partner in helping us reduce the carbon footprint of our manufacturing operations with a steady supply of renewable en...

The Philippines and Masdar Energy Deal: A Game-Changer in the Renewable Energy Landscape with Geothermal Potential By: Robert Buluma In a groundbreaking move, the Philippines has joined forces with Masdar, the renewable energy giant from the UAE, in a bold partnership that promises to reshape its energy sector. Signed on January 15, 2025, this historic agreement sets the stage for the development of up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with ambitious plans to scale up to a staggering 10 GW by 2035. While solar and wind dominate the headlines, there’s a quiet opportunity emerging in the shadows: geothermal energy, a resource that could redefine the future of this collaboration.  A $15 Billion Green Revolution   With an estimated $15 billion in investment, this deal underscores the Philippines' commitment to sustainable growth and energy security. The country aims to increase its renewable energy share in the power generation mix from 22.8% in 2022 to...

The Tale of Resilience: How Tongonan Geothermal Plant Overcame Typhoon Haiyan By: Robert Buluma Nearly 20 kilometres outside of the city of Ormoc, The Tongonan-1 geothermal power plant sits in mountainous Kananga, Leyte in the Philippines’ typhoon belt. Image: EDC In the wake of devastation, stories of resilience often emerge as beacons of hope. Such is the case of the Tongonan Geothermal Plant in the Philippines, which not only weathered the destructive force of Typhoon Haiyan but emerged stronger and more resilient than ever before. The year was 2013 when Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest tropical storms ever recorded, wreaked havoc on the province of Leyte. Among its victims was the Tongonan Geothermal Plant, a vital energy source in the region. Engineer Teodulfo Troyo, who witnessed the plant's shutdown in anticipation of the storm, recounts the harrowing experience of seeing the facility succumb to nature's fury. But amidst the ruins, a spirit of resilience took root. E...