First Gen Corp. has renewed its power supply deal with Cebu-based Chioson Group of Companies and FLB Prime Holdings Inc., ensuring the continued delivery of geothermal power to support their steel manufacturing and property development operations.
Signed on April 30, the new agreement commits First Gen to supply 2.1 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Chioson’s steel plants in Mandaue City and the FLB Corporate Center in Cebu City. The clean energy will be sourced from the geothermal facilities of its subsidiary, Energy Development Corp., in Leyte.
(Also read: Ensuring Reliable Power for Cebu’s Continued Growth)
An enduring partnership
The renewed supply deal will power Chioson Group’s key operations—its steel plants under Chioson Development Corp. and Puresteel Manufacturing Corp., as well as the FLB Corporate Center managed by FLB Industries Inc. The agreement reinforces Chioson’s push for sustainable, round-the-clock industrial operations.
Chioson Group first joined forces with First Gen in 2020, marking a key step in its transition to cleaner manufacturing. As a producer of various steel products—from c-purlins and corrugated sheets to conduit pipes, rebars, and nails—the company aligned its operations with renewable energy to advance its broader goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting industrial sustainability.
Over the past five years of working with First Gen, the Chioson Group has significantly reduced its environmental impact, avoiding an estimated “five million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.”
Chief Operating Officer Bernard Chioson said, “We take pride in knowing that every steel product we make leaves behind the lowest carbon footprint possible. The Chioson Group looks forward to continuing our sustainability journey with First Gen.”
According to Arlene Sy, First Gen’s vice president for Sales and Marketing, the energy company is actively expanding its geothermal capabilities to support the country’s shift to cleaner energy.
She emphasized, “As we move ahead with our drilling program to harness more geothermal energy, we are confident that we can enable and empower more companies to advance their decarbonization journeys.”
(Also read: Vivant Aims to Launch Cebu Desalination Plant in 2025)
Championing geothermal energy
Unlike most renewable energy sources, geothermal power offers a distinct edge—it delivers consistent, around-the-clock electricity regardless of weather or time of day.
Leveraging this reliability, First Gen’s subsidiary Energy Development Corp. (EDC) operates 13 geothermal plants across the Philippines, contributing nearly 1,200 MW to the grid. This accounts for about 60% of the country’s total geothermal capacity, making EDC the leading player in the sector.
First Gen also complements its geothermal assets with a diverse mix of hydro, wind, solar, and natural gas to ensure both sustainability and stability in power supply.
Its agreement with Chioson Group of Companies and FLB Prime Holdings Inc. underscores a broader trend among industries in the Visayas toward adopting sustainable practices. This move not only supports the region’s green transition but also solidifies Cebu’s role as a progressive economic center committed to integrating clean energy into its development strategy.
Sources:
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/05/01/cebu-firms-renew-power-supply-deal-with-first-gen
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/chioson-group-renews-clean-energy-deal