San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) has tapped ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES) to switch its entire campus operations to 100 percent renewable energy.
SBCA entered into a renewable energy supply agreement with the retail electricity unit of ACEN Corp. as part of its commitment to environmental stewardship and institutional sustainability.
Through this partnership, SBCA joins the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program, a government initiative that allows qualified electricity end-users to source power from a licensed retail electricity supplier like ACEN RES. This enables them to negotiate the terms of their supply, including the option to switch to 100 percent renewable energy.
Under the agreement, SBCA will source its electricity from ACEN’s portfolio of solar, wind and geothermal power plants across the Philippines. This renewable supply complements the school’s existing on-site rooftop solar installations.
SBCA will also be able to significantly reduce its environmental impact by avoiding more than 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, roughly equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by approximately 100,000 trees in a year.
“At San Beda College Alabang, we believe that the most powerful lessons are those lived out in our daily operations. By powering our campus with 100% renewable energy, we are showing our students that sustainability and excellence go hand-in-hand,” SBCA Rector Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, said. “This partnership with ACEN RES allows us to lead by example, proving that academic institutions can be at the forefront of the global transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Beyond the environmental benefits, the shift to renewable energy is expected to deliver significant operational efficiency. SBCA projects annual savings of around P8 million in energy costs, which will be redirected toward academic programs and student services.
The move aligns with the Catholic Church’s call for ecological conversion, as articulated in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which urges institutions to take concrete action against climate change. By integrating clean energy into daily operations, SBCA provides students with a lived example of how innovation and faith can drive sustainable development.
ACEN RES is currently the leading green energy supplier in the Philippines, with a market share of 65% according to official data from the Philippine Electricity Market Corp.
“We are happy to welcome San Beda Alabang into our growing community of partner schools, colleges and universities that have trusted us with their renewable energy supply,” Tony Valdez, ACEN senior vice president for market transformation and retail, said. “As an academic institution, SBCA has an important role to play in shaping the mindset of the next generation of electricity end-users—molding them into responsible consumers who are also concerned about the impact of their choices on society and the planet.”
