Insider Spotlight
The move marks a significant step in the fast-food giant’s sustainability strategy, covering roughly 40 percent of its company-owned domestic stores while helping reduce exposure to volatile electricity costs.
Why it matters
The transition demonstrates how large restaurant chains can use pooled electricity demand to access renewable power, potentially improving energy cost management and reducing carbon emissions across geographically dispersed operations.
The agreements cover Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon, Burger King and Panda Express outlets under the government's Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), which allows qualified consumers to consolidate electricity requirements and negotiate directly with suppliers.
The partnership completed its final batch of contracts on September 26, 2026, with First Gen sourcing electricity from geothermal facilities in Ormoc City and Kananga, Leyte, according to a company release.
Scaling cleaner operations
Jollibee Group-Philippines head of network development Bong Filart emphasized the operational coordination required to implement the transition.
"Transitioning nearly 200 stores to renewable electricity requires close coordination across our organization. By consolidating eligible stores and improving electricity sourcing, we are demonstrating a practical approach that supports operational efficiency while advancing more sustainable business practices. We plan to build on the experience and learnings from this initial phase and expand RAP to more eligible stores nationwide, reinforcing our commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability,” Filart said.
First Gen chief customer engagement officer Carlo Vega highlighted the partnership’s financial and environmental benefits.
“We are so proud of our continued partnership with the Jollibee Group as they make progress in their sustainability journey. These initiatives will not only help them manage volatile costs but also ensure that their retail and manufacturing operations generate a lower carbon footprint,” Vega said.
The bigger picture
The latest agreements build on earlier investments, including more than 9 megawatts of solar capacity installed at Jollibee commissaries and distribution facilities in Parañaque and Laguna.
Jollibee’s Danao Commissary in Cebu also uses rooftop solar panels and geothermal electricity from First Gen’s BacMan facilities in Bicol.
The partnership underscores the growing role of renewable energy procurement in helping Philippine businesses balance operational efficiency, energy security and long-term sustainability. — Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
