Associate director of field operations Barry Demmert provides an overview of the PT6 engineGeneral Milling Corporation (GMC), one of the country’s largest integrated food companies, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable operations by renewing its agreement with First Gen Corporation for supply of electricity from a carbon-free and renewable energy or RE source.

Under the agreement, First Gen through subsidiary Green Core Geothermal Inc. (GCGI) will continue to power GMC’s largest food manufacturing complex in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, with electricity from GCGI’s geothermal power plant in Negros Oriental.

“We are betting big on renewable energy because it’s the future of sustainable manufacturing. This partnership with First Gen ensures that we are not only meeting today’s energy needs but doing so in a way that aligns with our long-term environmental goals,” said GMC president Anna Gurango-Vicencio. “By integrating more clean energy into our operations, we are future-proofing our business while making a positive impact on the environment.”

Signed on Oct. 9, 2024, the agreement extends the eightyear collaboration between GMC and First Gen that began in 2016 under the government’s Retail Competition and Open Access policy. This policy allows businesses with substantial electricity demands to choose their own energy provider.

With operations spanning flour and feed milling, livestock breeding and hatchery production, GMC’s Lapu-Lapu manufacturing complex is a critical part of its operations. The plant also includes a wharf that supports the efficient movement of large cargo ships.

“We have seen the tangible benefits of renewable energy in our operations over the past eight years,” added Gurango-Vicencio. “The partnership with First Gen is a vital part of our strategy to keep our energy sources sustainable as we scale our operations and deliver high-quality products to our customers nationwide.”

First Gen’s vice president for power marketing, trading, and economics, Carlo Vega, emphasized the importance of longterm collaborations to achieve decarbonization.

“Aside from helping GMC reduce the carbon footprint of their manufacturing operations through a steady renewable energy supply, we are committed to partner with them in their journey toward decarbonization—by helping them harness more RE and integrate this into their operations, and rationalize their power usage,” Vega said. “It is through continuous collaboration that we can find balance between maintaining sustainable business while mitigating environmental impact.”

GMC operates additional sites in Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Calamba, with headquarters in Makati City and Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Story by: Joel Gaborni