First Gen, PLDT group seal new power deal

First Gen Corp. clinched a new supply agreement to power Pangilinan-led PLDT’s network facilities in Mindanao with clean energy.

The Lopez-led company said the expanded partnership with the telco giant covers six facilities in the region, including PLDT Ponciano which is considered a “critical” part of its operations in Mindanao as it houses Davao’s first data center.

This would also establish VITRO Davao as the group’s first data center to run on 100 percent renewable energy.

“Following the switch of four of our sites in the Visayas, we are once again tapping First Gen’s geothermal energy supply to increase the renewable component of the energy mix of our critical facilities in Mindanao,” said Leo Gonzales, PLDT vice president and sector head for property and facilities.

“This enables us to future-proof our facilities, reduce our operational expenses, and support the government’s Green Energy Option Program in the region,” Gonzales said in a statement over the weekend

PLDT could save as much as P23 million per year following this switch, First Gen said.

For this year, the listed telco hopes more of its facilities in Greater Metro Manila will shift to renewable energy.

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According to First Gen, the telco is also eyeing to tap other clean power sources, such as geothermal, solar and wind.

Before teaming up with First Gen, PLDT deployed its largest solar rooftop facility in the Visayas, covering sites in Cebu, Panay and Negros islands.

Last August, First Gen also secured a supply agreement for cement firm Holcim’s manufacturing plants in Davao and Misamis Oriental.