The Ateneo de Manila University has signed a supply agreement with Shell Energy Philippines and SolX Technologies in an effort to transition to a fully renewable energy (RE) future.
In a report by Rappler, Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap SJ said that harnessing RE is one of the definitive measures to achieve the status of becoming a Laudato Si’ University, on top of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
On May 26, Ateneo’s main campus in Loyola Heights transitioned to a new power source. During the agreement signing, Yap revealed that since 2020, 13 solar panels on campus have provided 20% of the institution’s electricity, with the rest now being supplied by Shell Energy.
Meanwhile, Shell Energy chief commercial officer Sarah Rose Lim highlighted that the electricity provided to the Loyola Heights campus would be generated from a mix of renewable sources, including solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal energy.
SolX, a portal that helped end-users like Ateneo choose the contract that would work for their electricity requirements, supported the energy transformation. Using this would significantly lower energy expenses for institutions and companies.
This startup, founded by an Ateneo alumnus through the institution’s startup incubation program, received Php 11 million in funding from the National Development Company in 2023.
In accordance with the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) provision of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, end-users such as Ateneo have the freedom to select their electricity suppliers. An end-user qualifies for RCOA if it maintains an average peak demand of at least 500 kilowatts (kW) or an average billing of Php 950,000.
Photo courtesy of Ateneo de Manila University
