More Metro Manila properties shift to renewable energy under ERC programs

The Filinvest Group has transitioned 11 of its properties to renewable energy programs as part of its broader commitment to sustainability.

Through its retail electricity arm, FDC Retail Electricity Sales Corp. (FDC RES), the conglomerate placed the properties under the retail aggregation program (RAP) and the green energy option program (GEOP)—two schemes that allow power users to directly source cleaner and more cost-efficient electricity.

Under RAP, four facilities with a combined demand of over 1,000 kilowatts have been onboarded, enabling them to access market-based electricity rates. Meanwhile, seven facilities with a total contracted demand of 2,000 kW were switched to GEOP.

The newly transitioned properties include developments in major business districts across Metro Manila, such as Westgate, The Tent at Filinvest City, and Riverpark in Alabang; Filinvest Shoppes in Makati; One Filinvest in Ortigas; and Studio 7 in Quezon City.

Company officials said the move highlights Filinvest’s push to reduce its carbon footprint while offering its tenants more reliable and sustainable energy options. “This strengthens our commitment to sustainability by using renewable energy, reducing our carbon footprint, and advancing our ESG goals, while at the same time lowering electricity costs and meeting the requirements of our tenants who prefer green energy,” said Mitch Dumlao, first vice president and retail business unit head of Filinvest Malls.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) welcomed the initiative, saying it supports national goals to accelerate the shift to renewable power. “I congratulate FDC RES for being at the forefront of these innovations in our power industry,” said ERC chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan.

Both GEOP and RAP fall under the retail competition and open access (RCOA) framework introduced by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001. GEOP allows customers with at least 100 kW monthly demand to source electricity directly from renewable energy suppliers, while RAP enables smaller consumers to aggregate demand and collectively contract supply.