De La Salle Lipa in Batangas has renewed its supply contract with the country’s biggest 100% renewable energy companyDe La Salle Lipa (DLSL) renewed its power supply contract with First Gen-owned and 100% renewable energy (RE) firm Energy Development Corporation (EDC) for another two years through a virtual signing ceremony.

This is the university’s second time to renew its partnership with the leading geothermal producer. Chancellor Dr. Erickson Martinez represented the university while EDC was represented by Marvin Kenneth Bailon, head of Business Development-Market Planning & Contracts.

“Our goal of creating a sustainable future for generations to come includes providing our students with a learning environment that preserves our planet and getting power from renewables through First Gen, and EDC is a crucial part of it,” said DLSL president and chancellor Br. Dante Jose Amisola, FSC.

DLSL has not only been enjoying reliable power at cost-competitive rates since it first shifted to RE with EDC in 2017. Being powered by EDC’s Geo 24/7 from its Bacman Geothermal Inc. facility has enabled DLSL to avoid 3,870 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

“We are pleased to continue helping DLSL fulfill its sustainable development goals amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership helps us fulfill our mission of forging collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future, which essentially calls for us to create exponential positive impact on the environment and society,” said Bailon.

DLSL’s sustainability efforts have gained global recognition, including the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System silver rating it received from the US-based Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. It is the first academic institution from the Philippines to receive this honor.

Businesses and institutions that have an average monthly electricity consumption of at least 100 kilowatts can now choose to get power from RE sources through the government’s green energy option program (GEOP). Shifting to RE through licensed GEOP providers like First Gen and EDC’s Geo 24/7 allows them to lower not only their electricity cost but also reduces their carbon footprint, which is a crucial part of the solution to the climate crisis. (Story/Photos by: Frances Ariola)