RAZON-LED Manila Water Company, Inc. has shifted the operations of its major facilities in its Eastern Region service area to renewable energy (RE), a first for the Philippine water sector, the company said on Wednesday.
In a statement, Manila Water said it has signed a renewable retail power supply agreement with AdventEnergy, the retail power arm of Aboitiz Power Corp., as part of efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
Manila Water President and Chief Executive Officer Roberto R. Locsin said, “We are proud to formalize this partnership. It truly makes a difference in the lives of our customers that a water utility can work with a partner like AdventEnergy to deliver the sustainable solution we have worked so hard to pioneer.”
Under the agreement, AdventEnergy will supply 100% renewable energy to water utility operations in Metro Manila and Rizal within the Eastern Region.
Meanwhile, 20% of the renewable energy mix will be supplied to non-Eastern region business units including Cebu Water, Tagum Water, Calbayog Water, Laguna Water, Estate Water, LARC Water, Boracay Water and South Luzon Water.
“This effort goes hand-in-hand with Manila Water’s promise to create better lives and resilient economies through the provision of critical infrastructure,” said James Yu, president of AdventEnergy.
Starting in 2023, the collaboration aims to contribute to the government's renewable energy agenda and national decarbonization efforts.
Manila Water also participated in the government's Expanded Retail Aggregation Program (RAP) after consolidating the power demand of its 10 wastewater facilities.
RAP allows end users in the same franchise area to combine their electricity demand and qualify as a single competitive customer, enabling them to participate more competitively in the retail electricity market.
Manila Water serves the eastern region of Metro Manila, including Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Quezon City and parts of Manila, as well as several cities in the province of Rizal. — Sheldin Joy Talavera