Amidst persisting challenges of businesses and households in the country brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, First Bay Power Corporation (FBPC) stands as a beacon of hope with the renewal of its partnership with AboitizPower for the supply of Cleanergy, which will power the livelihood and development of Bauan, Batangas.
The decade-long partnership traces its roots to AboitizPower’s acquisition of the MakBan and Tiwi Geothermal power facilities from the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) back in 2009 through its wholly-owned subsidiary, AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI). Since the geothermal assets were acquired, AboitizPower had inherited some power supply agreements with various institutions, among which was the contract with FBPC for a 6-megawatt supply.
In his message during the virtual contract signing last September 24, APRI President and COO Dennis Jordan expressed his appreciation for the continued partnership between AboitizPower and FBPC: “Through this celebration today, we are reliving history. It’s amazing to be part of a journey that began in 2009, and over a decade later, we find ourselves here, back where we started as partners, and ever more capable of serving the growing needs of FBPC’s franchise area in Bauan, Batangas.”
As early as March of this year, FBPC began its preparations for a competitive selection process to evaluate potential energy suppliers to fulfill their requirement for renewable energy. Spearheaded by the Third Party Bids and Awards Committee (TPBAC), the selection took about three months to complete, where four energy suppliers, including AboitizPower, were evaluated. FBPC President and General Manager Ray Florence Reyes said they “take pride in the fair and transparent approach that FBPC undertook in selecting its renewable energy supplier.”
“First Bay Power Corporation supports the mandate of the [Department of Energy] to preserve the integrity of competition while pursuing the best energy supplier to help us provide clean energy for Bauan. We are happy that once again, AboitizPower will play a role in helping us achieve our sustainability goals for another 10 years,” Reyes added.
AboitizPower First Vice President for Commercial Operations Juan Alejandro Aboitiz said he is honored to continue working alongside FBPC for the next phase of their partnership.
“Our journey with FBPC was built on trust, and the shared vision of enabling the advancement of businesses and communities in Bauan. It is our privilege to take this journey further, as we support the needs of FBPC, and in turn, contribute to the continuing growth of residents and businesses in the province, in ways that are reliable and sustainable,” Aboitiz said.
This renewed partnership between the two companies signals the start of APRI’s delivery of 10 MW of clean energy to First Bay from its MakBan geothermal facility. This further aligns with the thrust of the Aboitiz Group to grow its Cleanergy portfolio and position itself as a major player in the renewable energy space.