Menarco taps First Gen for renewable energy supply

Menarco Development Corporation has tapped First Gen Corporation to power its award-winning 32-storey tower in Taguig City using a renewable energy source. 

In a statement, First Gen vice president Carlo Vega said that under the two-year agreement that takes effect later this month, the power corporation's subsidiary Green Core Geothermal Inc. (GCGI) will supply Menarco Tower with 800 kilowatts of electricity.

“We are happy that our agreement with Menarco Development will complement Menarco Tower’s image as a very innovative, energy-efficient, healthy, safe and hi-tech office boutique tower,” Vega said.

Menarco Tower gained a singular distinction by being the first and only office tower in Southeast Asia to hurdle the stringent health and environment requirements to be WELL Certified Gold by the International Well Building Institute, and to gain a LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council.

“Menarco Tower is designed to offer humanity-centered spaces which ensure the building community’s health and well-being, as well as minimizing any adverse impact on the environment. Menarco is proud to partner with First Gen for our renewable energy needs,” said Menarco Development founder and CEO Carmen Jimenez-Ong.

“By consistently walking the talk, we take an active part in the country’s efforts to mitigate climate change and rolling blackouts. Together, we are part of the solution, not the problem,” Jimenez-Ong added.

Menardo Jimenez, the chairman of Menarco, belongs to Forbes’ list of top 50 richest Filipinos of 2020.

He gained his wealth as a top executive and investor in broadcast giant GMA Network, where he was a past president.

GCGI, an indirect subsidiary of First Gen, holds a license as a retail electricity supplier.

It also owns and operates two integrated geothermal power plants; one in Leyte and another in Negros Island.

Aside from geothermal, First Gen’s portfolio of power plants also runs on renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind and solar.

First Gen also owns and operates power facilities that run on natural gas, considered the cleanest form of fossil fuel. — BM, GMA News