First Gen powers Jollibee commissaries with 99% RE

MANILA, Philippines — Homegrown fast-food giant Jollibee Group has tapped Lopez-led First Gen Corp. to supply 99 percent renewable energy to its commissaries across the Philippines.

Under the agreement, First Gen will provide 11 megawatts (MW) of electricity from its geothermal power plants in the Bicol region. The remaining one percent is currently being sourced from the grid.

The move is expected to lower the Jollibee Group’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 percent across the covered sites, supporting its sustainability agenda.

“Switching our commissaries to 99 percent renewable electricity enables us to build a sustainable and reliable energy foundation for our growing operations,” Jollibee Group president for manufacturing and logistics Michael Ong said.

Currently, the Asian food conglomerate’s commissaries supply more than 3,400 stores in the Philippines.

“At the Jollibee Group, our purpose is to spread joy through superior taste. And for me, that purpose has always gone beyond what’s on the plate,” Jollibee Group Philippines CEO Joseph Tanbuntiong said.

“Behind every meal we serve is a long chain of work that begins in our commissaries. How we power these facilities matters. By shifting to renewable energy, we are ensuring our operations remain reliable and consistent as we grow,” he added.

The Jollibee Group is the company behind homegrown brands such as Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon and Mang Inasal. Its portfolio also includes Burger King, Panda Express, Smashburger, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

In 2023, the Jollibee Group partnered with First Gen to install 17,000 solar panels with over nine MW of capacity at its commissaries and distribution sites in Parañaque and Laguna.

“The shift to geothermal and solar electricity reflects the Jollibee Group’s disciplined approach to growth – investing in reliable energy systems that strengthen operations today and support expansion across its Philippine and global footprint,” First Gen chief customer engagement officer Carlo Vega said.

First Gen is one of the country’s leading power producers, operating over 1,700 MW of capacity from at least 22 renewable facilities, including geothermal, wind, solar and hydro projects.