The WalterMart and Abenson Group of Companies have renewed their partnership with First Gen Corporation (First Gen), the Philippines’ leading renewable energy provider, to power their operations with geothermal energy.
This move is part of the retail group’s broader strategy to reduce the environmental footprint of its malls and stores.
Under the agreement between First Gen and WM Shopping Center Management, Inc., the developer behind the WalterMart community mall chain, First Gen will supply 47 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power to 47 WalterMart locations. This includes W Department Store, WalterMart Supermarket, and Abenson outlets across Metro Manila, central and southern Luzon, as well as the Citadines Bay City Manila Hotel in Pasay City and the Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila.
The geothermal energy will be sourced from the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant, operated by Energy Development Corporation, a First Gen subsidiary.
Abraham Uypeckcuat, chairman of WM Shopping Center Management, Inc., said, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to First Gen for being our trusted partner in advancing sustainability through RE. 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.”
This transition builds on the ongoing solar initiatives developed by First Gen at various WalterMart malls. Since 2019, the two companies have installed on-site solar systems in several community malls across Luzon. Currently, WalterMart operates 45 community malls nationwide, with 25 scheduled to feature solar power systems totaling 27-megawatt peak (MWp) by the end of the year, supporting the group’s target of sourcing 20% of its electricity from solar by 2025.
“Our collaboration with WalterMart began in 2019 with solar facility installations. Since then, the WalterMart team has made long-term commitments towards sustainability. We are happy to support the WalterMart journey to power their community malls with 100% RE. As WalterMart continues to grow and open new community spaces across the country, First Gen will be ready to power every expansion and deliver what is truly a baseload source of renewable energy; and continue to support its solar and energy efficiency initiatives,” said Giles Puno, President of First Gen.
First Gen, a subsidiary of Lopez-led First Philippine Holdings Corporation, holds the largest portfolio of renewable energy plants in the Philippines, generating power from solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal sources with a total capacity exceeding 1,700 MW. Its subsidiary Pi Energy also supports partners with on-site solar facilities, remote energy monitoring, and other energy efficiency solutions to optimise power usage.