First Gen, the country’s leading renewable energy company, has been tapped to install and manage an on-site solar power facility that will supply electricity to Goldilocks’ production plant at the Cebu Light Industrial Park (CLIP) in Lapu-Lapu City.
The project forms part of Goldilocks’ efforts to reduce electricity costs and support its sustainability goals through the increased use of renewable energy in its production facilities.
“This is one of the many major steps that we're taking to fulfill our commitment to sustainable business operations while taking care of our people and our planet. Happily, by coincidence, this year is also our 60th anniversary,” said Marilou Plando, Goldilocks head of manufacturing for Visayas.
BOT arrangement
The partnership was announced on May 14 following the inauguration of the 516-kilowatt-peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system constructed by First Gen for the Goldilocks commissary.
The facility supplies about 100 stores in Cebu, including those in Bantayan and Camotes islands, as well as Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Masbate.
Plando told reporters after the ribbon-cutting ceremony that the project required zero investment from Goldilocks.
All the company needed to do was reinforce the roofs to ensure they could support the weight of the solar panels, she added.
Mark Malabanan, head of Solar and Commercial Business at First Gen, explained that the company will own, operate, and maintain the solar facility for 10 years, while Goldilocks will pay for the electricity generated at an agreed rate.
After the 10-year term, ownership of the system will be transferred to Goldilocks under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangement.
The company will then be able to utilize free solar energy from year 11 up to year 25 or 30, depending on the system’s lifespan.
Savings
Asked about the agreed rate, Malabanan said the amount was “something confidential between partners,” but noted that it was “better” than rates charged by other power distribution utilities.
The terms and conditions for the rooftop solar facility are outlined in the solar power purchase agreement (SPPA) finalized by both companies in November 2024. Construction began in June 2025.
Malabanan said 794 solar panels were installed, although additional panels could no longer be accommodated because of limited roof space.
Since the solar facility was switched on last April 20, it has generated about 110,000 kilowatt-hours.
Plando said around 30 to 40 percent of the commissary’s power consumption now comes from solar energy, while the remaining supply comes from the Mactan Electric Cooperative. The shift has resulted in savings of about 10 percent.
She said the savings are being passed on to consumers by allowing the company to maintain current product prices despite rising fuel and ingredient costs.
“But of course, our future goal is really to be fully supported by solar because it's cleaner, it's more sustainable, and it’s about taking care of our people and planet. That will come later,” said Plando.
She added that they were thankful to First Gen for maximizing every available roof space for the solar panels.
Full shift
Goldilocks may eventually go fully solar once it expands operations within CLIP, a 62-hectare economic zone registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and located about six kilometers from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Developed by Science Park of the Philippines Inc., CLIP caters to light manufacturing, electronics, and technology firms.
“We are pleased to begin this partnership with First Gen to help us achieve our sustainability goals. So far, we have started to see tangible results from our ability to generate part of our energy requirements through solar energy. Our solar power gives us a level of comfort in terms of power supply stability and security while contributing to environmental preservation,” said Plando.
At present, the Goldilocks commissary occupies a 5,140-square-meter property. It produces about 5,000 cakes daily, 10,000 tray products such as ensaymada, and around 2,000 loaves of sliced bread, among other products.
Powering growth sustainably
Production increases during special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day, when cake output reaches around 6,500 to 7,000 pieces daily.
Goldilocks was founded in 1966 and has since grown into the Philippines’ largest bakeshop chain, with more than 1,000 stores nationwide. The company also operates branches in the United States and Canada.
First Gen is the leading renewable energy producer in the Philippines, with 1,700 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity from 31 hydro, geothermal, solar, and wind facilities nationwide.
Aside from producing renewable energy, the First Gen Group also supports businesses across various industries with solutions aimed at optimizing energy consumption. These include on-site solar PV facilities, remote energy monitoring systems, and energy audits. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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