Capitol University Medical Center (CUMC), one of the largest private medical facilities in Mindanao, has teamed up with Lopez-led First Gen Corp. to power its facilities entirely with renewable energy.
The agreement makes CUMC the first hospital in the region to be 100-percent powered by renewable energy, which will be sourced from the Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant in Cotabato, owned and operated by First Gen subsidiary Energy Development Corp.
First Gen will supply 900 kilowatts (kW) of geothermal power to support the electricity needs of the 200-bed hospital, including its Kidney Institute and other specialty care facilities.
The hospital was able to connect directly to the geothermal energy source—the only renewable energy source that can run consistent, 24/7 baseload capacity—through the government’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP).
GEOP enables eligible power users with an average peak demand of at least 100 kW over the past 12 months to source 100 percent of their electricity requirements from renewable energy suppliers.
“We are pleased to be the first medical center in Mindanao to be powered directly by geothermal energy that is also harnessed from Mindanao,” said CUMC president Dr. Rosalinda Deleste.
“We look forward to reaping the benefits of using renewable energy not just for helping the environment, but for doing our part to improve the health and well-being of Kagayanons,” said Deleste.
First Gen chief customer engagement officer Carlo Vega said geothermal energy is ideal for hospitals, industries and other businesses that need reliable renewable energy supply.
“It’s an honor to support CUMC as they begin their journey towards decarbonization,” said Vega.
First Gen has more than 1,700 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity from over 22 geothermal, wind, solar and hydro facilities.
Besides the Mt. Apo geothermal facility, First Gen owns and operates a 1.6-MW run-of-river mini-hydro facility in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon that uses water from the Agusan River.
The company is also expanding its portfolio in Mindanao with two other planned hydro projects: the 32-MW Bubunawan Hydro project in Libona, Bukidnon and the 40-MW San Isidro Hydroelectric Power Project along the Cagayan de Oro River.
Both proposed projects plan to utilize run-of-river design, generating electricity using a river’s natural flow without building a large dam or reservoir.
