The Aboitiz Group has ramped up its renewable energy (RE) thrust after receiving a grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to undertake a feasibility study for offshore wind projects and sealing a clean energy deal for SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime).
The giant property developer secured a long-term deal with AboitizPower for Cleanergy supply, realizing its goal of increasing its renewable energy portfolio to more than 50 percent.
The deal supported the Department of Energy’s (DoE) program of moving up the renewable energy supply component of the country to 35 percent by 2030.
The grant, meanwhile, was given to Aboitiz Renewables Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp.
The grant was signed by USTDA Director Enoh Ebong and Aboitiz Renewables vice president David Aboitiz and witnessed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The study aims to identify potential project sites and provide technical and economic analysis for 3GW of wind turbine generation projects.
“Our assistance will be critical toward defining the wind projects’ technical and design options, as well as structuring deals for international financial institutions,” Ebong said in a statement.
Geothermal source
Under the agreement with SM Prime, AboitizPower will supply electricity from Tiwi and MakBan Geothermal Power Plants, and PV Sinag’s Power Plants, operated and managed by AboitizPower subsidiary, Aboitiz Renewables Inc.
The long-term contract will power SM Prime including malls, leisure homes, offices, hotels and other establishments under the Retail Competition and Open Access by the end of 2022.
“This partnership with AboitizPower is aligned with our unwavering commitment to being a catalyst for economic growth and steward of nature. We will continue providing world-class amenities within our sustainable lifestyle cities that have been beneficial and inspirational to millions of Filipinos,” Jeffrey Lim, SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s President, said.