Developer pools power demand across 46 properties to cut costs

CEBU, Philippines — Cathay Land Inc., the property development arm of the Cathay Group of Companies, has signed an agreement with COREnergy, the retail electricity supplier of Vivant Energy, to aggregate electricity demand from 46 connection points across its industrial and residential developments under the government’s Retail Aggregation Program (RAP).

The arrangement allows Cathay Land to combine electricity consumption from multiple properties to meet contestability thresholds required under the country’s retail electricity market, giving the developer access to competitive power sourcing and greater control over energy procurement.

The partnership reflects a shift among Philippine property developers toward treating energy management as a strategic component of operations rather than a fixed utility expense.

By consolidating electricity demand across geographically dispersed assets, companies can improve visibility over power costs and gain more flexibility in sourcing electricity amid fluctuating energy prices.

“Grouping these properties under the aggregation program is a practical step toward more efficient utility management,” said Mary Ann Kocencio, Cathay Land’s vice president for corporate administration. The setup enables the company to manage its portfolio through a unified energy platform rather than separate utility accounts, she said.

The Department of Energy’s RAP framework allows consumers with smaller individual loads to pool demand and qualify for the competitive retail electricity market, expanding access beyond traditionally large power users.

“For businesses with multiple locations, the power of choice should not be limited by how their meters are structured,” said Marko Sarmiento, vice president and operations head of COREnergy. He said the company assists customers in navigating the regulatory and technical requirements needed to participate in the program.

Retail aggregation has gained traction among companies with operations spread across multiple sites, particularly in the property, manufacturing and commercial sectors.

The model enables businesses to leverage combined electricity demand to negotiate more competitive rates and adopt a more centralized approach to energy procurement.

For Cathay Land, the initiative forms part of its effort to improve operational efficiency across its portfolio while integrating energy planning into long-term business strategy.

According to Koncencio, the aggregation program will support more coordinated management of electricity costs, supply arrangements and future energy requirements as the company expands its nationwide footprint. — (FREEMAN)