L-R: First Gen chief customer engagement officer Carlo Vega, First Gen president and COO Giles Puno, First Gen chair and CEO Federico R. Lopez, Digital Edge directors and JV partners Charlie Rufino and Raymond Rufino, and Digital Edge country manager Vic BarriosDigital Edge (Singapore) Holdings Pte. Ltd., a leading developer and operator of sustainable, next-generation hyperscale edge data centers across Asia and a portfolio company of Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assts, reinforces its leadership in sustainability by partnering with First Gen to power its NARRA1 data center, one of the most advanced facilities in Asia.

In an agreement signed between First Gen and Digital Edge, the former will directly supply electricity to support the operations of the NARRA1 data center inside Laguna Technopark in Biñan, Laguna. First Gen will source the power from the Pantabangan-Masiway and Casecnan hydroelectric complex in Nueva Ecija.

“We are proud to operate a world-class data center that meets the growing demand for digital infrastructure while upholding the highest standards of environmental responsibility. By design, NARRA1 is already one of the most energy- and water-efficient data centers in the region. Through our partnership with First Gen, it will now also be powered by renewable hydroelectricity—further strengthening our commitment to sustainable operations,” said Digital Edge Philippines country manager Vic Barrios.

NARRA1 is a 10-megawatt data center developed through a joint venture between Digital Edge and the Threadborne Group, a Philippine-based family office with interests in technology and real estate. It is the first data center in Southeast Asia to achieve EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification, and the first in the Philippines to attain LEED Gold certification.

“The need for data centers is growing and operating these requires large-scale, uninterrupted power with the lowest possible carbon emissions. We look forward to working with Digital Edge as they continue to make progress in their decarbonization journey, not just with a supply of reliable, low-emission, and cost-competitive electricity, but solutions that will help optimize their energy usage,” said First Gen chief customer engagement officer Carlo Vega.

Axelum Resources Corporation, the country’s leading fully integrated manufacturer and exporter of premium coconut food products, also partnered with First Gen for direct supply of geothermal power as part of its strategy to shift its business operations to renewable energy (RE).

Under the agreement, First Gen will supply up to 5.2 MW of electricity to power Axelum’s manufacturing activities in Medina, Misamis Oriental. First Gen will source the geothermal power from the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant operated by Energy Development Corporation.

“This initiative forms an integral part of our core sustainability agenda and demonstrates our serious commitment to building climate resiliency. From a broader view, this move will also provide us with reliable energy supply leading to operational cost efficiencies, lower carbon emissions and positive environmental impacts in the long term,” said Henry Raperoga, president and chief operating officer of Axelum Resources Corp.

The direct supply agreement between Axelum and First Gen was enabled by the Retail Competition and Open Access provision under Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, which allows qualified customers to select their preferred retail electricity supplier, to promote competition and transparency in the electricity market.

“It is our privilege to partner with Axelum to help drive sustainability in the manufacture and export of one of our country’s major commodities. Geothermal power is the only RE technology that can run 24/7 and can support major manufacturing operations. RE can help reduce carbon footprint of various industries and when combined with energy efficiency solutions, can boost decarbonization and rationalize electricity usage,” said Vega.

L-R: Axelum vice president for investor relations Paul Cheah, Axelum treasurer and CFO Maria Theresa Paguirigan, First Gen customer progress partner Niña Butil, First Gen chief customer engagement officer

(Story by:Joel Gaborni)