First Gen Powers Surigao Hospital with Geothermal Energy

MANILA, Philippines — First Gen has expanded its reach in the healthcare sector as it closed a new deal to provide a hospital in Mindanao with clean electricity. The Lopez-led company said it would energize Surigao Doctors’ Hospital Inc. with geothermal energy. This makes the latter the first medical facility in Surigao del Norte and in northeastern Mindanao to make the renewables shift. First Gen said the electricity would be sourced from its 108-megawatt (MW) Mt. Apo geothermal facility in Kidapawan, North Cotabato. The agreement was made possible under the government’s green energy option program. This enables power customers that consume at least 50 kilowatts to choose their providers and fully switch to renewable energy. “The ability to power renewable energy 24/7 is a game-changer in ensuring operations remain stable and reliable, while reducing carbon footprints,” said Carlo Vega, chief customer engagement officer of First Gen. Roy Ycong, chair of the board of Surigao Doctors, said their primary concern is to lower the cost of their electricity expenses while maintaining a reliable power supply to ensure the optimum functionality of lifesaving equipment that are critical in patient care. “Second important thing is that we will be able to contribute to the decarbonization of the environment by sourcing cleaner and more sustainable electricity for our daily operations,” the doctor added. In March, First Gen also scored renewable supply deals for 13 partner facilities of Mount Grace Hospitals Inc., one of the Philippines’ largest hospital networks and a member of the United Laboratories Group. First Gen said it is the top renewable energy producer in the Philippine market, given its 1,760 MW of generating capacity from 31 wind, solar, hydro and geothermal facilities. In the January-to-June period, the company reported its attributable recurring net income slightly went up to P8.7 billion from P8.6 billion a year ago. INQ