Tuna canner Century Pacific Food Inc. on Tuesday bared investing more in the renewable energy space with the expansion of its solar photovoltaic facilities and the commissioning of new biomass boilers in General Santos City.
The company is expanding its solar capacity in General Santos City where it produces tuna and coconut products.
From only 5.2 megawatts, its operational solar capacity is boosted to 8.6MW or a 65 percent increase when fully operational by March this year.
“In addition to being an environmentally forward choice for CNPF, investing in solar unlocks value for the company and enhances our operational resilience,” notes Teodoro Alexander T. Po, company president and chief executive officer.
Its tuna and coconut facilities mainly use clean energy sourced from a hydroelectric power plant through the grid.
In 2021, the company commissioned its first solar photovoltaic plant consistent with its goal to more sustainable manufacturing practices. As of end 2022, more than 60 percent of the hub’s power requirements were harnessed from clean energy sources.
Since 2021, the company invested approximately P380 million to build and expand its solar plant, which now features a photovoltaic roof solar system operating on-grid.
In addition to solar power, the company is also investing in energy alternatives for its coconut operations with the commissioning of new biomass boilers.
The new boiler will use coconut shells as biomass fuel, converting a by-product into energy and eliminating coal usage in the process.
On a broader scale, the company anticipates a 36 percent reduction in overall coal consumption across its factory.
Century Pacific’s operations yield coconut shells as by product of its de-shelling operations for coconut meat and various coconut derivatives such as desiccated coconut, cocomilk, oil and flour.
Since its commissioning, its roof solar system in General Santos has generated more than 15 million kWh of energy.
Following the addition of the new boiler, CNPF will add another mixed biomass boiler in the second quarter.
