What climate change? Powered by AI, Pure Energy to take farming indoors

MANILA, Philippines — Renewable power firm Pure Energy Holdings Corp. is taking farming to the next level as it plans to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for climate-controlled indoor farms.

The company, led by businessman Dexter Tiu, said it will develop a pilot model for the AI-powered indoor farms by the third quarter this year.

“Agriculture is something that is close to Dexter Tiu’s heart, having developed this since he was six years old from his grandmother, who had a passion for growing plants. This is one of the key reasons why Pure Energy is venturing into this sector,” Pure Energy president Eric Roxas said.

While agriculture is one of the major components of the domestic economy, Roxas said the sector continues to suffer from various factors, including climate change.

For this new venture, Pure Energy said its power requirements will be supplied by its subsidiaries, NexGen Energy Corp. and Repower Energy Development Corp.

The subsidiaries are operating solar, hydropower and wind power plants in Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon and Camarines Sur.

Regardless of external weather conditions (rain, flood, heat or humidity) or pests that could contaminate produce, Pure Energy said agricultural technology-enabled farms can consistently grow sustainable food 24/7, 365 days a year due to climate-controlled temperature indoors

With soon-to-be listed NexGen’s synergy with its sister firms, the farms can have continuous power supply to run equipment to control temperature indoors — resulting in sweeter, healthier, greener and crispier produce without the ill effects of insecticide and pesticide.

Presently, Pure Energy is operating “normal” farms in Tagaytay and Quezon province that produce designer fruits such as sweet red-orange jackfruit, aromatic pandan coconuts, yuzu, amalfi lemons and macadamia nuts. These fruits and nuts are produced in microclimate conditions specific to each plant.

“We will be producing designer fruit and vegetables — such as strawberries and dou miao — which we believe have a niche market and strong potential for revenue growth,” Roxas said.