Profood taps Aboitiz unit for rooftop solar project

CEBU, Philippines — Aboitiz Upgrade Solar Inc. (AUSI), a joint venture between Aboitiz Power Corp. and Upgrade Energy Philippines, has partnered with dried fruit giant Profood International Corp. to install a 1.27 megawatt-peak rooftop solar photovoltaic system at the latter’s Cebu facility.

The project, AUSI’s first rooftop solar installation in the region, will span four buildings and is scheduled for completion by year-end.

The system is expected to significantly reduce the plant’s dependence on conventional energy sources, supporting broader decarbonization goals.

The collaboration underlines the growing trend among Philippine manufacturers to embrace distributed renewable energy in response to cost pressures and sustainability imperatives.

“By transitioning further into renewable energy, we are making a clear statement: sustainability is not a distant ambition, it is a present priority,” said Justin Uy, Chief Executive Officer of Profood, the country’s largest exporter of dried mangoes and other tropical fruit products.

Engr. Gina Camacho-David, Vice President and Head of Retail Sales and Solutions at AboitizPower, said the initiative shows how clean energy adoption can scale with industrial growth. “We are proud to support Profood in its sustainability journey,” she said.

AUSI, formed through a partnership between AboitizPower’s distributed renewables arm APX and UGEP, targets large commercial and industrial clients with tailored solar solutions.

The deal comes as Philippine conglomerates increasingly pivot toward clean energy, aligned with national targets to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix to 35 percent by 2030.

Founded in 1978, Profood has grown from a home-based operation into a major global exporter, with products sold in over 50 countries. Its operations generate broad social impact, with 65 percent of gross income flowing to rural communities and over 8,000 employees across its nationwide facilities.

“The integration of solar energy into Profood’s operations is a powerful signal that sustainability can go hand-in-hand with business performance,” said UGEP Chief Operating Officer Pieterjan Vanbuggenhout.

The rooftop solar project is expected to serve as a template for future collaborations between AUSI and major Philippine companies looking to reduce emissions and energy costs while advancing ESG commitments.