Energy & Mining

Tropical Hut Food Market, Inc., one of the country’s oldest fast-food chains, has partnered with First Gen Group to power 12 of its branches and its head office with geothermal energy—an effort aimed at better managing operating expenses while reducing environmental impact.

Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has gained support from the Scrap Collectors and Recyclers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SCRAP) for its anti- pilferage campaign, as the industry group expressed intent to help prevent stolen utility materials from entering the scrap market.

PXP Energy Corp.’s 12.5 percent stake in Service Contract 80 (SC 80) gained a potentially more favorable resource outlook after operator Tetragon Energy Ltd. reported an increase in estimated prospective resources at the Halcon exploration prospect in the Southwest Sulu Sea.

MTerra Solar has begun commercial operations for 600 MWac of mid-merit capacity under its power supply agreement with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), moving one of the Philippines’ biggest renewable energy projects from construction into revenue-generating service.

Primelectric Holdings, Inc. (PHI) is exploring opportunities to develop and operate electricity distribution systems in economic zones nationwide, potentially expanding its utility footprint as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) seeks more reliable power infrastructure to attract investments.