Insider Spotlight
The food service giant is sourcing 11 megawatts of geothermal power from First Gen Corp., the country’s leading renewable energy provider.
The supply agreement covers key manufacturing and distribution sites and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 70 percent across covered facilities.
Why it matters
The transition gives Jollibee a more stable and lower-carbon energy base as it scales operations locally and abroad.
Geothermal energy, unlike intermittent renewables, provides baseload power suited for industrial use — a critical factor for large-scale food manufacturing and logistics.
In a statement, the Jollibee Group said the shift to geothermal electricity forms part of its broader renewable energy program, building on earlier initiatives such as the installation of solar panels across its sites.
In 2023, the group tapped First Gen to install 17,000 solar panels with more than 9 MW of capacity in Paranaque and Laguna. The projects, which include a Remote Energy Monitoring System for its logistics hub, were completed in 2024.
Ceremonial switch-on
To mark the milestone, Jollibee Group and First Gen held a ceremonial switch-on on January 29 at the company’s Laguna commissary, attended by company executives and local government officials.
The renewable energy milestone aligns with Jollibee’s Joy for Tomorrow sustainability agenda and relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those tied to clean energy and climate action.
What they’re saying
“Switching our commissaries to 99 percent renewable electricity enables us to build a sustainable and reliable energy foundation for our growing operations. This transition reduces our environmental footprint whilst ensuring energy stability - benefits that are meaningful not only today but well into the future,” said Michael Ong, president for manufacturing and logistics of the Jollibee Group.
Joseph Tanbuntiong, Jollibee Group Philippines CEO and global head of the Jollibee Brand, added: “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. 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.”
Zoom out
First Gen chief customer engagement officer Carlo Vega said the partnership supports Jollibee’s disciplined expansion strategy, positioning renewable energy as a backbone for both Philippine and global growth. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
