FAST Logistics Group is installing rooftop solar at its Cebu cold-chain hub to reduce reliance on grid power, where round-the-clock refrigeration makes electricity a significant operating cost.
The logistics company has partnered with Buskowitz Energy under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement covering a 779.96-kilowatt-peak grid-tied solar photovoltaic system at the FAST Cold Chain Hub Cebu in Tayud, Consolacion.
The system is expected to generate about 1.23 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity in its first year, supplying up to 35 percent of the facility’s electricity requirements.
For FAST, the project offers a way to reduce exposure to conventional grid electricity while cutting emissions without requiring the company to own or operate the solar assets.
Buskowitz Energy will finance, install, manage, and monitor the system, while FAST will purchase the electricity generated under the long-term agreement. About 1,300 solar panels will cover 4,500 square meters of rooftop space.
A 24/7 monitoring platform will allow FAST to track power generation and measure the system’s contribution to its energy and emissions targets.
The arrangement is particularly relevant for cold-chain operations, where electricity demand is continuous and reliable power is critical to protecting temperature-sensitive cargo, including food, agricultural products, medicines, and vaccines.
Opened in 2021, the Cebu hub has 10,500 pallet positions and serves customers across the Visayas, including food and beverage companies, meat processors, agricultural distributors, restaurants, and pharmaceutical operators.
It also provides smaller-scale cold storage to farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises, extending its role beyond conventional logistics.
The solar project forms part of FAST’s broader energy-efficiency strategy as the company works toward Net Zero emissions by 2050.
The deal also highlights how long-term power purchase agreements can help companies with large, predictable electricity requirements shift part of their consumption toward renewable energy without taking on direct ownership of generation assets.
For FAST, the immediate gain is lower dependence on grid electricity. Over time, the project could also improve visibility over energy costs as the company expands its cold-chain network.
