FPIP opens RAP path for ecozones

Lopez-led First Philippines Industrial Park (FPIP) has joined the government’s Retail Aggregation Program (RAP) through a deal with sister company First Gen Corp. (FGEN) to power its facilities with 1.27 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy.

Finalized on Monday, the agreement allows FGEN’s retail arm, First Gen Energy Solutions (FGES), to deliver electricity from hydro plants to 21 FPIP-run facilities inside its Batangas ecozone.

FGEN and FPIP president Francis Giles Puno said the switch is the first time contestable customers inside an industrial park pooled their power demand to meet the 500-kilowatt RAP threshold.

“We have a diversified renewable energy portfolio and increasing demand for RE from customers to meet their sustainability and decarbonization goals. What we want to do is to demonstrate that it is possible to provide a stable and steady RE supply while securing cost-efficient energy,” Puno said.

To qualify, FPIP consolidated its demand with those of subsidiaries FPIP Property Developers & Management Corp. and FPIP Utilities Inc., which manage wastewater treatment, water distribution, and security services in the ecozone.

Power will mainly come from FGEN’s 132-MW Pantabangan-Masiway and 165-MW Casecnan hydro plants in Nueva Ecija.

According to outgoing Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta, FPIP’s shift is already the 10th RAP transition since February.

“While the numbers alone are impressive, what truly stands out is that each RAP switch is a story of success for both energy stakeholders and consumers,” Dimalanta said.

“With FPIP aggregating the power, you prove that you are not only an industrial hub for multinational companies, but the FPIP also serves as a thriving ground for innovation, growth, and Filipino talent,” she added. 

FPIP is a joint venture between First Philippine Holdings and Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. It hosts major global manufacturers including Dyson, Honda, Canon, Nestle, and Collins Aerospace.

FGEN operates 28 renewable power plants with over 1,600 MW in capacity and runs four gas-fired plants totaling 2,017 MW through a partnership with Prime Infrastructure Capital, Inc.