Surigao Doctors’ Hospital, Inc. has become the first medical facility in Surigao del Norte and northeastern Mindanao to run entirely on renewable energy, through a supply partnership with the country’s largest renewable energy producer, First Gen Group.
The hospital completed all contract requirements late last month, formalizing an agreement signed earlier this year under the government’s Green Energy Option Program. The program allows eligible consumers with an average peak demand of at least 50 kilowatts to source 100 percent of their electricity directly from renewable suppliers. Under the deal, Surigao Doctors will draw power from First Gen’s 108-megawatt Mt. Apo geothermal facility in Kidapawan, North Cotabato.
“Our main goal is to cut electricity costs while keeping power reliable to ensure life-saving equipment works at its best for patient care,” said Dr. Roy Ycong, chairman of Surigao Doctors’ Hospital. “Equally important, we can contribute to environmental decarbonization by using cleaner, more sustainable energy for our daily operations.”
First Gen has partnered with several medical institutions nationwide, supplying them with geothermal power—the only renewable energy source capable of delivering round-the-clock electricity. Carlo Vega, First Gen’s chief customer engagement officer, noted that 24/7 renewable power is a key advantage. “It is a game-changer in keeping operations stable and dependable while lowering carbon emissions,” Vega said. “We are proud to help our partners meet their sustainability and cost-efficiency targets.”
The 50-bed Surigao Doctors’ Hospital, known locally as the “hospital with a heart,” provides a full range of medical services and community outreach programs. First Gen operates 31 wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal facilities across the Philippines, with a total installed capacity of 1.76 gigawatts.
