MANILA, Philippines — Filinvest-Engie Renewable Energy Enterprise Inc. (FREE) is developing a solar photovoltaic system for the facility of medical products and solutions company Merasenko Corp. in Cebu.
The rooftop solar system is targeted to be operational in the first quarter of next year.
Once completed, it will reduce Merasenko’s carbon emissions by more than 3,500 tons over the 20-year contract period, equivalent to removing over 15,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road.
The system will be governed by a solar power purchase agreement, which will cover the construction and ownership of the new equipment installed, operation and maintenance of the solar system, and transfer of the equipment at the end of the contract period.
“As companies strive to establish and achieve their net-zero commitments, it’s essential that corporations adopt concerted efforts to curb the effects of higher energy costs, climate change, and other manufacturing operational hurdles,” said Roderick Fernandez, vice president for corporate planning and project development at FDC Utilities Inc.
“This project is a step in the right direction in balancing growth, profit, and sustainability. Filinvest and Engie are proud to help Merasenko reach the top of the energy efficiency mountain,” Ferrnandez said.
FREE is a joint venture company between FDC Utilities, the power utility arm of Filinvest Development Corp., and Engie Services Philippines.
The company, which was established in 2018 to deploy sustainable solar solutions, focuses on developing solar energy rooftop systems for Philippine customers.
It has multiple renewable energy projects in the pipeline with the end view of promoting sustainable energy solutions to prospective industrial and commercial customers.
As part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed recently between Engie and Merasenko, FREE is will undertake any solar projects agreed with Merasenko based on Engie’s recommendations.
Through the MOU, Merasenko will explore opportunities for implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions across its project sites in the Philippines.
Engie, a global reference in low-carbon energy and services, will conduct detailed energy audits and desktop studies to determine the feasibility of various green energy and energy efficiency solutions for Merasenko.
“Engie and FREE are proud to leverage our sustainable energy expertise to support Merasenko in advancing its decarbonization in the Philippines,” said Thomas Baudlot, CEO Energy Solutions APAC, country head Southeast Asia, ENGIE South East Asia and director of FREE.
“I believe this partnership will demonstrate that strategic implementation of clean energy and energy efficiency measures can save money and improve operations, while helping companies fulfil their social responsibility to minimize climate-related threats,” Baudlot said.