THE agreement for the solar facility was signed by (from left) Mark Malabanan, Pi Energy customer progress partner; Carlo Vega, chief engagement officer of First Gen; Anne Liu, president, Oakridge Realty Development Corp.; and Reina Tano-Bello, ORDC business development director.OAKRIDGE Realty Development Corp. (ORDC), the developer of Oakridge Business Park in Cebu, has renewed its partnership with Lopez-led First Gen Corp. for the construction of a rooftop solar system in the premier development.
Under the deal, First Gen will install solar panels totaling 638 kilowatts atop Oakridge Business Park, the company said in a media release over the weekend.
Situated in Mandaue City, Cebu, the 4-hectare Oakridge Business Park is the first mixed-use property in Cebu to be 100% powered by renewable energy and to install charging stations for electric vehicles, as well as solar-powered charging stations for mobile devices.
“Since we started Oakridge Business Park in 2009, we have gradually made it part of our mission to push for sustainable solutions to help the environment,” said ORDC President Anne Liu.
“We would like to believe that the impact of our initiatives has not only led to an improved carbon footprint but has also significantly influenced lifestyles and, more importantly, instilled a more conscious mindset in the communities we serve,” she added.
The two companies initially entered into an agreement in 2021 to directly supply the business park with electricity from a natural gas-fired power plant. In 2023, ORDC signed another contract with First Gen to shift its energy source to geothermal power as part of its sustainability program.
Under their renewed power supply deal, First Gen and its sister company, Pi Energy, Inc., will also provide the business park with a remote energy monitoring system that allows for real-time electricity usage tracking.
The system will also generate regular energy audit reports, which include an analysis of the business park’s energy consumption and costs to identify the need for additional intervention measures and efficiency projects.
ORDC is the real estate development arm of Cebu-based LH Paragon Group, Inc., a diversified holding company with domestic and overseas business operations, including the fashion retail powerhouse Golden ABC, Inc. The group also has businesses in wood distribution, healthcare and diagnostic services, and food retailing.
Meanwhile, First Gen holds a total of 3,668 megawatts (MW) of combined capacity, with 1,651 MW coming from its renewable energy portfolio and 2,017 MW from its natural gas-fired plants. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera
