First Gen Corp to Develop a Solar Power Plant for Bathroom Fixture-Making Giant HCG

First Gen Corporation (First Gen), the country's leading clean and renewable energy company, has signed an agreement with the Philippine subsidiary of HCG, a Taiwan-based global bathroom solutions provider, to construct a solar power facility at the HCG unit's manufacturing plant in Cavite.

The latest deal between First Gen and HCG subsidiary Hocheng Philippines Corporation (HCG Philippines) will not only lower HCG's carbon emissions but also help it save money on electricity.

First Gen and Pi Energy Inc. will construct a 660-kilowatt (kW) solar power plant at HCG's 10-hectare facility in Dasmariñas, Cavite, to support the company's twin goals.

“Our goal is to pursue excellence in building healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving products. We build better designs to reduce our overall impact on the environment and support sustainable development. Over the years, we have completed several initiatives that contribute to our decarbonization objectives and we are committed to using green energy,” said Eugene Lin, HCG Philippines senior vice president and officer-in-charge.

The deal to build the solar power plant symbolizes First Gen's continued engagement with HCG following the popular bathroom fixture brand's decision to pursue a decarbonization program. HCG's decarbonization effort began four years ago with the goal of shifting its electricity requirements to renewable sources.

As part of the transition, HCG signed a contract with First Gen in 2020 to supply 850 kW of clean energy from the Bacon-Manito geothermal power plant in Bicol, operated by First Gen subsidiary Energy Development Corporation, the country's largest producer of geothermal energy.
 
The two companies signed the supply contract, which is still in effect, under the Retail Competition and Open Access program, a government initiative that allows large electrical consumers, such as HCG, to select their own power suppliers.

“We are honored to be part of the journey of HCG in the Philippines towards a decarbonized and regenerative future; and we look forward to a growing partnership to lower HCG’s carbon emissions by using clean energy to power operations and integrating energy efficiency solutions,” said Mark Malabanan, assistant vice president for solar of First Gen.

HCG originated in Taiwan, where it was developed in 1931 to meet the growing demand for basic sanitation. HCG has now expanded its portfolio to include bathroom fixtures and solutions that meet a variety of needs, market sectors, and facility types. To supplement its overseas production bases, HCG developed a 10-hectare manufacturing factory at the First Cavite Industrial Estate in Cavite in 1997.

First Gen offers the largest portfolio of plants that run on renewable energy sources such as geothermal, wind, hydro, and solar, as well as natural gas, the cleanest fossil fuel. The company's 33 power facilities have a total installed capacity of 3,697 megawatts, making it one of the country's largest independent power producers.