Araneta City Inc. (ACI) has taken another major step in its sustainability push by becoming one of the first mixed-use developments in the Philippines to adopt retail power aggregation and directly connect to renewable hydroelectric energy. The move covers key properties such as Ali Mall, New Frontier Theater, and the Manhattan Gardens residential complex, in partnership with First Gen Corporation.
Under an agreement signed on October 14, First Gen will consolidate the electricity demand of more than 200 retail and service tenants in Ali Mall and New Frontier Theater, along with over 9,000 residential units across 18 towers in Manhattan Gardens. The combined power requirements will be supplied with renewable energy from First Gen’s Pantabangan-Masiway and Casecnan hydroelectric facilities in Nueva Ecija.
“This initiative enhances our energy efficiency and allows us to better manage electricity costs,” said ACI senior vice president for operations Antonio Mardo. “We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with First Gen in the years ahead.”
Araneta City’s shift to renewable power is supported by two government programs — the Retail Aggregation Program and the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) — which allow end-users within a contiguous area to pool electricity demand and directly choose their energy suppliers. Through this setup, Araneta City gains access to more cost-effective and sustainable electricity while cutting its carbon footprint.
“We are proud to help transition an iconic destination like Ali Mall to renewable energy,” said Carlo Vega, First Gen’s chief customer engagement officer. “This partnership reflects our shared goal of building a decarbonized and regenerative future.”
Spanning 35 hectares in the heart of Metro Manila, Araneta City — long known as the “City of Firsts” — has been a pioneer in mixed-use property development for more than 70 years, integrating retail, entertainment, residential, hospitality, and office spaces.
First Gen, the country’s leading renewable energy producer, operates hydro, geothermal, solar, and wind facilities with a total capacity exceeding 1,600 MW. Its gas-fired power plants, run in partnership with Prime Infrastructure Capital, add another 2,017 MW to the grid, supporting stable and sustainable energy supply nationwide.
