First Gen marks 50 years of geothermal leadership
The Energy Development Corporation milestone highlights the Philippines’ role in renewable energy
MANILA, Philippines — Fifty years after the Philippines began developing geothermal energy at scale, First Gen Corporation is marking the milestone with the golden anniversary of its subsidiary, Energy Development Corporation (EDC)—the world’s largest vertically integrated geothermal producer.
The anniversary also marks five decades of geothermal development in the Philippines, where the resource continues to play a crucial role in providing reliable electricity.
Among renewable energy sources, geothermal remains unique in its ability to deliver baseload power: stable, around-the-clock energy that helps ensure grid reliability.
“From the very beginning, the mandate of EDC was clear: harness indigenous resources and develop homegrown power supply that will make the country’s energy grid resilient and secure,” says Federico Lopez, chairman of First Gen.
EDC was created in 1976 as a state-owned corporation tasked with developing geothermal resources and reducing the country’s dependence on imported oil.
By the mid-1980s, the Philippines had emerged as a global leader in geothermal power, demonstrating how indigenous energy resources could strengthen national energy security.
Privatized in 2007, EDC became part of the First Gen group and has since been central to the company’s clean energy strategy.
Unified direction
To mark the milestone, First Gen also introduced a unified corporate brand that brings together its generation assets, supply business and energy solutions under a clearer structure.
The refreshed identity reflects how the company already operates: as an integrated energy provider focused on helping customers meet evolving power and sustainability needs.
“This step is about clarity for our employees, partners, customers, and the communities we serve about who we are, what we stand for, and how we work together,” says Giles Puno, president of First Gen.
Under the new structure, the group’s renewable power facilities—including geothermal, hydro, wind and solar plants—are now housed under First Gen Renewables, placing clean energy assets at the center of the portfolio.
Meanwhile, First Gen Energy Supply connects the group’s generation capacity with the evolving requirements of customers, including direct supply partners and wholesale electricity buyers.
Completing the structure is First Gen Energy Solutions, which focuses on technologies designed to help businesses better manage their electricity consumption—from energy audits and remote monitoring to behind-the-meter solar installations.
Energy transition
For First Gen, the new brand reflects a broader shift in how energy companies engage with customers.
“Expectations placed on energy companies are changing,” Puno says.
“Customers are no longer asking only where power comes from, but whether they can depend on it, whether it is affordable and whether it supports their long-term transition goals.”
Meeting those expectations, he adds, requires closer coordination across the organization so that decisions are guided by customer needs and solutions can be delivered more quickly.
Today, First Gen operates one of the most diverse renewable energy portfolios in the country, with geothermal, hydro, wind and solar facilities nationwide.
As the Philippines accelerates its transition toward cleaner and more sustainable power, the company sees its integrated approach—anchored by five decades of geothermal expertise—as a key contribution to building a more resilient and secure energy future.
Editor's Note: This branded content for First Gen is not covered by Philstar.com's editorial guidelines.
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