ACEN powers RCBC Plaza with green energy

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala-led ACEN Corp. has ushered the RCBC Plaza in Makati into a new era of sustainability by powering it entirely with renewable energy.

The company, through its retail electricity arm, ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), will provide the green energy requirements of the iconic complex.

RCBC Plaza is owned by RCBC Realty Corp., a joint venture between the Yuchengco Group of Companies and the government of Singapore.

“By choosing ACEN RES, they are enabling ACEN to develop more (RE) capacity, help the country achieve its target to increase the share of renewables, and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels,” ACEN president and CEO Eric Francia said.

Following the switch to green energy, RCBC Plaza has received a “powered by renewable energy” badge from ACEN RES, which acknowledges the former’s commitment to sustainability.

RCBC Realty president and CEO Lorenzo Tan said the partnership with ACEN RES has aligned “perfectly with our vision for RCBC Plaza.”

“This decision not only benefits the environment but also positions us as the premier destination for environmentally-conscious businesses seeking a world-class office space with a commitment to sustainability,” Tan said.

The complex, known for its two office towers and four-level podium, stands out as Makati’s first information technology zone officially designated by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

It also houses the 450-seat Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, the Yuchengco Museum, a 200-seat chapel, banking facilities, convenience and service shops, lecture and seminar rooms, as well as an open-air courtyard.

This latest deal between the Zobels and the Yuchengcos became possible through retail competition and open access (RCOA), a government program that gives qualified end-users the power to choose their electricity supplier.

Monalisa Dimalanta, Energy Regulatory Commission chairman and CEO, earlier said they were planning to expand the RCOA coverage and reduce the threshold to 100 kilowatts from 500 kW.

Under the prevailing threshold, only consumers with an average monthly peak demand of at least 500 kW for the preceding 12 months are eligible to contract with any authorized electricity supplier on a voluntary basis.