The Philippine unit of global consumer goods manufacturing giant Unilever PLC has renewed an agreement with First Gen Corporation (First Gen), the country’s leading renewable energy (RE) producer, for supply of electricity from geothermal resources as part of Unilever’s continuing program to reduce its carbon emissions.
The renewed agreement, which First Gen and Unilever Philippines officials signed last Sept. 10, calls for First Gen to supply with around 10 megawatts of geothermal energy seven production and distribution sites that Unilever and its suppliers own and operate in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.
These production sites manufacture a wide range of Unilever products under different brands from ice creams (such as Magnum and RFM brands), sauces and seasonings (such as Knorr and Lady’s Choice); to beauty, wellbeing and personal care products (such as Dove, Rexona, Axe, and Pepsodent); and home care items (such as Breeze, Domex and Surf), just to name a few.
Their combined output has turned the Philippines into one of Unilever’s biggest production platforms, as well as one of the company’s top markets for its manufactured consumer goods. Its products are found in nine out of ten Filipino homes.
First Gen commits in the same agreement to get the power supply from the geothermal power facilities of its subsidiary Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in the Bicol region, Tongonan in Leyte and Palinpinon in Negros Oriental.
The use of geothermal, one of only a few RE resources that can generate electricity on a baseload or 24/7 basis, supports Unilever’s long-term climate change transition program.
“Since 2017, First Gen has been our partner in helping us reduce the carbon footprint of our manufacturing operations with a steady supply of RE. We are committed to continually use RE for our factories and facilities to achieve our operational and sustainability ambitions,” said Rondell Torres, Unilever sustainability lead.
“We recognize that no single organization can tackle the climate crisis alone. That’s why partnerships are at the heart of our approach. Whether it’s working with local suppliers, government agencies, or civil society, we’re building coalitions that accelerate decarbonization and unlock inclusive growth. Together, we can scale renewable energy solutions, foster innovation, and create a resilient supply network that benefits both people and planet,” Arvind Sunderrajan, head of Unilever Supply Chain Foods – Greater Asia, added.
For his part, First Gen Chief Customer Engagement Officer Carlo Vega said: “We are proud to partner with Unilever Philippines in its sustainability journey. First Gen and Unilever share similar concerns over climate change and doing our part to help mitigate the risks by choosing to decarbonize. We are committed to supporting Unilever in achieving its business efficiency and sustainability goals.”
First Gen is a pioneering power producer based in the Philippines. In the 1990s it built and operated the country’s first power plants that run on natural gas, and in 2007 it acquired EDC, the world’s largest vertically integrated geothermal power producer.
Aside from natural gas and geothermal, First Gen is recognized for its experience and expertise in operating a diverse portfolio of power platforms including hydro, wind, and solar, which have made significant contributions to the Philippines energy security and its efforts to transition to renewable energy.
EDC has, through decades of experience, gained global recognition as a pioneer in geothermal energy development and operations with commitment not only to deliver clean, reliable power but also to advance environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
