The future of geothermal energy in the Philippines | Power Shift | EP 5

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[00:00:01]This is Billionario News Channel's high impact energy show. Your hosts, attorney AA Magpal, former commissioner of the Energy Regulatory Commission and Under Secretary of the Department of Energy.

[00:00:16]MNA Velasco, book author, energy journalist and columnist, and attorney Ivan Galura, energy and climate policy specialist. This is about hard questions, sharp analysis, and energy conversations that matter. This is powers shift. High energy, smart conversations, power shift. In this installment of our show, we tackle another topic which shall we say is a hot topic to handle, but it often just hides along less traveled roads. Geothermal.

[00:01:08]Well, to understand geothermal energy, let's use this analogy.

[00:01:15]is giant hot pot that's been simmering for millions of years. In places like volcanic zones, the earth's core turns into steam.

[00:01:28]Well, our engineers and technical experts simply step in politely and borrow that resource from nature and they channel that steam to spin turbines to generate clean reliable electricity for all Filipino consumers. Long before renewable energy became a trend and energy development corporation EDC of first gen N Lopez Group which is currently the country's largest geothermal power producer was already deep underground. That was for the past 50 years. They've been drilling and proving that the real power players don't just think outside the box. They drill beneath it and strive hard to power a nation. The Philippines started very very early during the first Marcos administration as a response to the 1970s energy crisis. So we invested we came in big we invested big although resources low. Yes, exactly. And then investment out of the 100 green energy auction with with our EDC partners in EDC as well as industry experts.

[00:03:14]President and CEO first gen Mr. Francis Guno and sweat, blood and tears for them to be successful geothermal development beyond the 50 years that we have.

[00:03:40]We would have to look at history. We used to be number two in the world >> but through the years sluggish when it comes to development >> but being the one at the forefront of development of geothermal in the country. What is it for you as first gen EDC at what can you contribute so that we would be going back to the glory days of geothermal in the country? First of all, we're very proud about the history of geothermal in the Philippines because it did solve crisis in the past and uh when you think about it, we're a country that doesn't have much fossil fuel and so we had to rely on our resources and one of those was geothermal.

[00:04:22]And uh so we became a global champion in geothermal. Although we were a champion in a specific technology of geothermal, when you look at the technology today, it's broader.

[00:04:35]>> So what we're doing also is catching up on the most recent technology that's available for geothermal.

[00:04:42]>> Um now when you say that we're the third largest, we're the third largest simply because we've tapped a quite a large capacity of geothermal that's available already. uh whereas other countries they still have potential that is relatively untapped. So for example, Indonesia is now number two, but the potential for Indonesia is even bigger.

[00:05:04]>> Uh having said that, we're still a believer in in geothermal in the Philippines. So we want to continue to expand in the Philippines.

[00:05:11]>> Yeah, it's 50 years of history for the industry.

[00:05:14]>> Yes.

[00:05:15]>> And what's the next that we will have in the country?

[00:05:20]given the reserves that we would have to tap into the low enthalpy.

[00:05:24]>> So 50 years a lot of learning because we have sites all over the country. uh and so geothermal is a bit more funky because you have to extract steam from the ground >> but in our case we have 50 years of experience >> and so now what we're doing is preparing for the next 50 years and what that means is with respect to the existing sites >> um we have so much knowledge on data that we've captured through the for the last 50 years >> but having said that one of the things I do when I visit the site Of course, I'm coming in with a fresh mind because of all of the experience. And the question I ask our people is, would we have done the same thing today if we came in to the site for the very first time and we got all that data? M >> so for example Lee no um Lee is our biggest site >> and so there's a bit of reimagining what Lee can be >> you know from a 50-year historical but now from 50 year >> and so the question is would we have built the same kind of facility did we make the right choices at the time >> and what we're realizing is because of technology because of what we know we have more familiar familiarity with the geothermal reserve itself, how the steam has evolved and we're saying we would probably not build this plant here, we would probably build this plant there.

[00:06:58]And so we're going through a whole reinvisioning of how Lee can perform in actually in a more productive sense moving forward. So that's very exciting.

[00:07:09]In Lee, what we did experience is at some stage the steam quality was changing. The claim to fame of the Lee plant, it's the largest steam field geothermal uh uh reservoir in the world.

[00:07:24]>> Yes.

[00:07:25]>> But actually through the years it's moved from from from wet steam to dry steam.

[00:07:31]>> And wet steam to dry steam. So what's happening is when you're rather than extracting more water from the from the reservoir from the wells what's coming out is more steam or heat >> that you can use to generate >> that you can use to generate >> and when you think about the geysers in the states most of those are wets are are dry steam technology >> yeah I visited that >> yeah so so when you look at that the question is is the technology that we use today applicable to the technology of other parts >> of other parts of the world or are we going learn from the other parts of the world that's applicable more to the situation here today.

[00:08:09]>> And what have you been looking at like reimagining the future for and we're waking up to a very exciting phase where he's saying okay if we are able to >> to uh capture the right technology to extract the steam in a in the right manner in a sustainable manner.

[00:08:26]>> Yeah. We are we can rebuild Lee to not only produce the same capacity it's producing today but actually produce more than what we were producing in the past because we have >> sort of line of sight over what we need to do.

[00:08:41]>> Yeah.

[00:08:42]>> If we were building it today will be different. But if we build this tech the newer technology today here the advantage is we will we will need less steam >> to generate the same amount of megawws.

[00:08:57]So it's more efficient in that sense.

[00:08:59]And so for us it's it's kind of a >> it's kind of um taking the best of what you've learned in the past but also taking the best of what others have learned >> more recently and then incorporating that in our plans for Lee. And when and lately obvious is the biggest one but to the extent that we we can we can uh redevelop why can't we do the same thing for our other concessions and that's that translates to a lot of investment but it also translates to what I I'm quite passionate about which is to say the advantage of geothermal is not only the electricity that it produces >> but when you look at the surrounding host host communities they have thrived.

[00:09:42]Yes, >> there are Ormok I'm sure when we first stepped when we first developed it 50 years ago >> I don't know what Ormok look like but Ormok is a thriving city today >> exactly >> and it's and what's the biggest industry the biggest industry there is geothermal >> so I have to take my cue from your excitement for >> what is it in the future >> the legacy that you've had is being the biggest geothermal player in the country the next 50 years it's a legacy that you would have to build for the next generation and you are know how many megawatts at this point >> we're about one two >> so that future what is it that you're looking for based on the data and the kind of knowledge that you're taking now from Lee for example and the other concessions >> so within LA for example although the name plate is roughly about 600 plus megawws we're only producing 500 megawatts today and there's degradation and others it's wear and tear it's depreciation of the of the assets >> but what we're planning to do in data is rather than just target back to 600 megawatt. We're trying to figure out whether or not there's potential for 750 megawatt >> additional 250 >> additional additional megawatts that we can we can capture through efficiency and also new builds >> when it comes to technology development for geotherarma.

[00:10:59]>> Yes. Um we've studied uh EG EGS this is advanced geothermal systems no where sometimes when you when you look at it you create really the properties to make you extract the heat from the ground by by by >> by providing the uh the the liquid requirements the water requirements >> um so we're looking at that but having said that it's still in an advanced sort of a it's still being proven >> and so what we we would rather prioritize in what we need to extract to be able to extract more from what we have.

[00:11:36]>> So for example in our case low enthalpy development medium to low enthalpy development that's it it's the it's relatively lower heat quality >> but what you're finding is you can extract uh generate electricity from this lower heat sources. In the past what we do is we only focus on high heat >> but but in the rest of the world there's technology that is able to extract that.

[00:11:59]These are technologies that we can really learn from. We should embrace the fact that the geothermal uh technologies not only within the Philippines but in other countries because >> it's the ingenuity of the engineers because they don't have for they they're probably energy constrained areas. Mhm.

[00:12:19]>> Uh so Turkey for example came from nowhere. Suddenly they have a lot of geothermal but principally from low enthalpy.

[00:12:25]>> So so we want to learn from from Turkey.

[00:12:28]>> Um we also want to learn from the dry steam technology that's been proven in the US with the geysers and apply that here.

[00:12:38]>> And we will return to Mr. from Puno to unpack their future plans and hear from DOE under secretary Maiden Caponol and Attorney Fernando Pñao of National Geothermal Association of the Philippines or NGAP on how policy support is helping geothermal projects stay hot and thriving.

[00:13:07]We sat down with USK capunol who explained to us how a land bank administered de-risking facility could lower investment barriers for geothermal energy and whether this would finally end geothermal's longstanding status as a neglected child in the energy sector.

[00:13:26]While attorney Poroyo shared insights on the forward-looking policy steps needed to reignite investor confidence and accelerate growth in the industry. Let's get their take on the industry's major concerns.

[00:13:40]>> Uh as part of the energy transition uh strategy n government uh we we involve all the renewable energy technologies and one of them is geothermal.

[00:13:52]Uh we know that geothermal is a base load plant 24/7 available energy uh generation and um it it is different from uh what we call the u variable re like solar wind no and then of course we have the run of river hydro so for geothermal uh it's true and uh as of now we have identified around 2 gawatt or 2,000 megawatt of potential um geothermal capacity or resources in the country. But the problem is wells that can success rate is below 20%.

[00:14:55]Yes, it's it's one of the major issue why development geothermal in the country for geothermal proposed uh the risking policy Philippine geothermal the risking facility In essence, government exploration among the development geothermal is the exploration and the drilling actually it's it's costly expensive. One drill will cost how much more well will cost you around 8 to 12 million. What is the success rate of actually finding >> below 20?

[00:15:47]>> Okay.

[00:15:48]>> Resource assessment stud will it be sustained? No. Determining the the capacity that can be produced by that generator. So cost eight or 10 million risk sharing facility.

[00:16:04]>> Yes. The the drilling proposal is up to 50% per well.

[00:16:18]So we agree based on the industry consultation up to three wells regularly regular drilling wells ecoing facility.

[00:16:32]>> Does this facility do we envision it then eventually at least 50% of that most expensive part of geothermal development facility >> jointly with uh land bank of the Philippines and of course uh DOF and ADB supporting us on on the design and implementation. Uh we started out early in the industry. Um in fact we started producing Jetermal and uh commercially in the seven piece you know. So uh we have lot of technical expertise in germal because we are located in the western Pacific Ring of Fire the Pacific Ring of Fire. It's uh our geology is conducive for the for the generation of geothermal energy. So with the technical support from the government and of course with additional help from uh multilateral agencies we're able to develop our dueermal uh resources and of course dutermal high-risk uh uh business uh venture you know there is a regulatory and uh social complexities most of these areas are located in protected areas in uh uh areas where there are indigenous peoples >> and uh at the same time um geothermal is considered as a mature uh industry. So government is not really keen in giving incentives.

[00:18:13]>> So we have to change that mindset you know because in order that uh we are able to utilize our geothermal resources you know we have to put more incentives.

[00:18:26]Can you expound to us why why you think that there's still more that the industry still uh can provide more given the right incentives not withstanding that it's already a mature market?

[00:18:37]>> Yeah. Uh we we still around we have still have a uh capacity to have around two 2,000 megawatt of uh megawatt of geothermal >> new additional >> new additional dream field dreamfield >> up of current >> on top of the existing 1,900 something.

[00:18:57]>> So so it's going to double more or less current 2000 >> the industry still has a potential to go and issue out. Yeah, that's based on the the data gathered by the industry. So fortunately we now have a risking facility funded by the ADB you know now what is this facility? It's a 775 million facility wherein the government will share in the risk of the exploration drilling you know as I' mentioned exploration drilling is very expensive. So if we're going to to uh derisk at least 50% of the exploration cost that would be a lot of help to the developers. Now aside from that there are also social issues you know you cannot just go into the area without the consent of the the community you know there are the of course the host community at the same time we have the indigenous people. Now we have new technologies like binary plants you know that uh are able to developers are able to uh uh develop the not so hot uh not so hot uh resources for example those below 180° centigrade you know they're able to to uh develop this uh this uh resources 10 to 20% cohesion capacity that would be you know without without drilling additional wells that's significant Yes, that's the significant part. You know, you uh do some work over on existing wells, you know, install new uh technology, then you increase the capacity of, you know, of uh existing fields.

[00:20:32]>> In our continuing conversation, Mr. Puno detailed plans to enhance geothermal generation capacity expansion with next generation technologies while actively positioning it as a viable clean energy option for companies that are committed to net zero goals.

[00:20:51]I just have to go back to your statement about geothermal being underappreciated which we call actually as the neglected child in LRG. I I actually refer to as an underdog technology because it's uh it's not mainstream.

[00:21:05]>> Yeah. But if you would have to look at the importance of it like J for example rea they would want power 247 that's geothermal definitely for the retail electricity market. Um and the policy of the government at this point is there's the risking facility that they you can avail of. Correct. Is that enough or we would need additional policies just to make geothermal really competitive with other technologies?

[00:21:31]>> The de-risking facility I think is a very positive step >> in the right direction.

[00:21:37]>> Uh because as you can imagine geothermal has an exploration phase to it.

[00:21:42]>> Yeah.

[00:21:42]>> So we're going through we have a number of concessions where we're going through an exploration phase. Now when we start start drilling on these on these uh in these concessions it's not unusual for example to spend 1.5 to 2 billion pesos just to start drilling simply because simply because you have to these are in remote areas.

[00:22:02]>> You have to build the road network. You have to build all of the infrastructure required to access the the site itself.

[00:22:11]>> And when you think about it if it's successful fantastic. If it's not successful, what does what does the company have to do? Do they have to write it off?

[00:22:21]>> Yeah. Okay.

[00:22:21]>> But in the meantime, there's been a road there also infrastructure. It's almost like we created also a way to advance the development of that area. Maybe not through geothermal because it didn't work out. But if it's geothermal, then fantastic.

[00:22:34]>> So how will that help? For example, you have a lot of concessions the risking facility. How will you top into that gamut if you would have to do your express? Um whenever we do drilling we have we're optimistic that there will be there will be heat >> there will be uh fluids >> uh but also we're optimistic about the permeability of the of the uh rock formation >> but sometimes there's heat there's fluid but no there's no permeability. So we've experienced that for example in northern Negros >> where there's limited permeability and we spent a lot of money. So what we what what did we end up doing? We ended up having to transfer the plant from there >> to southern Negros. The de-risking facility will help us in the sense now if we're going through a a a new concession before we even make the investment. We will know whether or not the level of sustainability of the geothermal steam that we can extract can justify or if not then then we have to consider whether we walk away and if we walk away at least there's a d-risking facility that will partially offset some of the investments that we made. It will not take away the the time. It will not take away all of the all of the thinking behind that that venture. But at least there is some some uh way to recover some of the investment. It's not a full recovery anyway.

[00:24:12]>> What have you been powering as industry or commercial establishments and how important is that to you and the Philippine economy? Yes, >> we do is we also are a very active uh participant and uh leader in what we call the net zero carbon alliance. No.

[00:24:32]>> Um so obviously because of uh uh wholesale uh competition.

[00:24:39]>> Yeah.

[00:24:39]>> Uh we're now selling to big users.

[00:24:42]>> Yeah. And uh for us what we're realizing is certain customers really have uh a bias towards um renewable energy and also a goal to hit their net zero targets early.

[00:24:59]>> So these are some of them are multinational, some of them are local companies.

[00:25:02]>> Are there brands me familiar to the Filipino public that you're powering?

[00:25:07]>> Yeah, more recently we just announced with uh Jollibee.

[00:25:10]>> Yeah. which is every >> with so so it's nice to see that even their larger facilities will be powered by uh renewable energy >> we have uh in the retail side we have a large uh retailer called Walter Mart >> uh that that again uh we sell electricity to >> um we also have in the industrial park a lot of uh locators >> that really require renewable energy and also data centers >> obviously data centers is a a growing industry not only in the US but in the rest of the world it's growing here >> uh semiconductor industries uh that are really that really want to go through and get renewable energy uh so there it's really quite exciting in that sense >> even he gets R& yes yes so we have an industrial park in as one of our affiliates and many of the locators are are are are are switched to renewable energy >> for people to know the brand also that's giving um service to them even though on the power side pride for the company of course >> what does it mean for you >> for us it's it's well it attests to the fact that we said that we will not invest in coal for example >> yes >> so we we were very early uh announce we announced a very early and we realized that if you can connect with companies that are sort of like-minded or you can even influence them to go with that.

[00:26:44]>> Then uh then it gives us a lot of uh comfort that there are more of these like-minded uh customers that are that are uh that want to go to 100% RE in fact base load RE.

[00:27:00]>> Yeah.

[00:27:00]>> No. Uh one I just want to add no uni liver for example is a multinational >> and they've gone to the next level. Not only are they uh not only that they buying power from first gen, they're also talking to their suppliers because all they want to do is is to green their whole supply chain. So they're influencing not only their own practice but also their supply chain to say go green and that's a fantastic uh and at the same time it's not like it's not like we're uh we're not competing against competitors but you know at least I can say that as long as we're sort of close to the price of our competitors they they they give it to us they award it to us.

[00:27:44]>> Yeah. the kind of dynamics that you would have now because you have a lot of uh re in your portfolio. So Jafaral is at the flagship technology that you have in the portfolio and then you are going big into hydro >> and you've actually uh slowed down on thermal because you've sold your gas.

[00:28:04]>> So what is the future for firstg EDC when it comes to portfolio investment?

[00:28:09]>> First of all, we always believe that the portfolio is the strength.

[00:28:12]>> Yeah. Not a single technology will do it.

[00:28:16]>> Having said that, you know, last year we we we sold a controlling state to the prime group >> on uh our gas assets. We still have 40%.

[00:28:27]>> So we still are believer in gas as particularly a transition and complimentary technology to the advancement of renewable energy in general. And when you think about hydro, hydro is really a large capex uh uh investment.

[00:28:43]>> But once you build it, it really lasts for it will out it will outlive all of us here.

[00:28:50]>> Yes. Yes.

[00:28:50]>> So so the advantage of hydra is precisely that. No, >> but having said that the challenge in Hyderro is how you build it in the first place.

[00:28:59]So this opportunity to invest uh take a 40% stake in uh in uh pump storage facilities for us was sort of a very perfect fit from a strategic perspective. Um it allows us to uh invest in hydro. It allows us to address in a technology in hydro called pump storage. It's essentially large batteries.

[00:29:26]>> Yeah. And you look at large batteries, what does it do? It enables more renewable energy to come in. So >> it's like 24/7 solution.

[00:29:34]>> So So that even the intermittent renewable energy becomes 24/7 >> even during summertime.

[00:29:39]>> Even during summer time because it's this one the water is really borrowed from the from the lower reservoir up to the upper reservoir and at the same time it also provides grid stability. M >> so there's there's a it's really multiunctional as far as as far as the benefits of a pump storage facility and with that we also have our own pump storage facility plans invesa uh right beside and we hope that we can learn from this so that that can also be sort of implemented and learned so that we can execute that in in in web as well. the secret sauce to being able to uh to obtain uh a a full re system >> is battery storage >> of which the biggest contributor to that is pump storage facility.

[00:30:29]>> Your next fronture of competition will be power sector. Yes.

[00:30:34]>> Like what happened to telco? Definitely it would go down to the level of the households the time that it would go down cuz retail aggregation. Soapitan how would you want to be known as a brand and as a company?

[00:30:48]>> We are safe for learning from our customers.

[00:30:50]>> Yeah.

[00:30:52]So the branding >> our competitors represent themselves in one brand.

[00:30:57]>> Yes.

[00:30:58]>> Now we're we are representing ourselves moving ahead in the firstg brand.

[00:31:02]>> Yes.

[00:31:02]>> So what we have to do is is really explain to our consumers >> what first gen can deliver as far as renewable energy is concerned. steady supply, affordable supply. Not only that, we can help them save save electricity.

[00:31:18]>> Yeah.

[00:31:18]>> Through value added services.

[00:31:20]>> Yeah.

[00:31:20]>> But the fifth one really is what we're learning from our customers. They also want us to help them guide them through their net zero journey.

[00:31:28]>> Yeah.

[00:31:28]>> So, so for me, first gen can can be very distinguishing in that.

[00:31:33]>> Yeah. So, so that's that's something that that's a message we have to send to the contestable customers and the future contestable customers which will happen eventually.

[00:31:43]>> If there's one word that would describe that kind of branding, what is it?

[00:31:47]>> Well, uh for us it's authenticity. For us, it's it's really uh being authentic about who we are as a company and and the kind of services that we can provide to our customers.

[00:32:00]Stay with us and we will bring you next to Alai and Sugon to see firsthand how first gen is expanding its geothermal footprint through innovation plant.

[00:32:32]host community and benefits.

[00:33:04]Um, as of now and ADC is mainieron.

[00:33:21]So um situation as of now in the future friendly convenience is employment facility header Marcel Rosario binary plant expansion operations not just within their host communities.

[00:34:41]Can you explain to us um the relevance and significance of this power plant when it comes to power supply to the country and to the consumers?

[00:34:52]>> Well, this power plant the Bakman uh determinal facility supports the uh uh Lucen grid. So basically it adds to the uh renewable energy capacity of our uh to the system. So our power plant is uh 210 megawatt olive or 190 from uh from geothermal and 20 mega from uh the ds or the battery energy storage. Can you explain with all other re compared to for example solar or wind intermittent And advantageer we have the heat from the earth through steam.

[00:36:01]Geothermal so predictable, stable and reliable source grid. Uh which is uh different from the other renewable energy that we have. They're calling it 24/7 round the clock supply consumers holiday summer.

[00:36:26]>> Yeah. And one unique feature of geothermal definitely is its on-site generations. Yeah. So compare moa with all other technologies in the power mix like coal, gas important for the country that we do onsite resource utilization like geothermal. So because we have our own geothermal resource.

[00:37:10]very stable generate 247.

[00:37:30]foreign market during the pandemic 24/7 even during palangi >> the power plant site is in the ve region which is known as the pacific jinx so you mentioned about decarbonization definitely we need re or cleaner energy source for our decarbonization.

[00:37:55]Advantage when it comes to our goal to counter effect.

[00:38:08]So meaning to say that 247 and base load compete with other technology. like coal or gas fuels. Yes.

[00:38:47]Predictable, reliable capacity is stable. So advantage other sources.

[00:39:08]How have you been future proofing facility earthquake and allocus first gen?

[00:39:23]Ensuring power efficient is we employ latest technology Okay.

[00:39:42]First gen NPC 2x 55 into 2x60 using the same uh supply volume of supply. So imagine 10 megawatt with the same uh with the same source technology. So only that improved technology including cooling power reliability future proofing resiliency power plants are proof Yolanda Yolanda towers.

[00:41:05]earthquake structure transport building.

[00:41:47]Yeah. Let's go to innovation that you've done in the facility because aside from the conventional power plant, you have the binary cycle plan and the best. Can you explain to us importance innovations? Okay. So 12 and then 20. So without drilling additional resources management excess heat into energy so organic cycle generation 29 and there's also energy storage system within the site. What's the function of that battery service working with NPC? DP additional generation demand grid as we uh proceed. with the operations and maintenance continuously at least by adding efficient technology adding >> and how will you employ AI in your operations in AI applications AI we're working with uh some of the vendors AI at least configure Some of the practices that we have for example and then at the same time reservo management predictability doing simulation uh doing simulation models identifying location when understanding to make sure in the future future proof of AI as a host community here in Sagon and gas host communities but there are some concerns like people would say now we host the geothermal facility but it seems like we can't have cheaper super power. How can you explain that narrative?

[00:45:12]>> We'll always work with the community and explaining to them mandate power producer >> which is to produce electricity and then spot marketing effort.

[00:45:38]electricity they work with user.

[00:45:52]But on that on the other note is benefiting the community of course community and and and even CSR program So, so protecting the environment, protecting our forestry. So, so working with ED first gen EDC.

[00:46:52]>> Stay tuned. We will be back with more on-site conversations from Alba and Sugon right at the heart of the story.

[00:47:14]Mr. Eduardo Himenez headporate relations first plant in host communities.

[00:47:28]So power plantershood opportunities human capital projects That's almost 200 megawatt of of base load geothermal power plant. So local city or local municipality schools and other projects governmentost community mayor and I think what about the impact fact that you've been doing for the community.

[00:49:07]It gives me a different kind of high.

[00:49:09]Yes.

[00:49:14]Especially Yeah.

[00:49:20]>> And I intend to do that even even beyond.

[00:49:23]>> This is Binhi. Tell us about this initiative. Um is the uh banner program first gen EDC on environment focus forest restoration so forest protection so mainstreaming native trees and then even biodiversity um I've been here for around 20 years in Bakman And um when we arrived here, when we arrived here, this is a lagover area communities proof progress environment can beautifully come together.

[00:50:20]>> Yeah. And this is in partnership with a Korean organization. We've been doing Beinhi uh in 2020 uh in 20 2008 Binhi was uh was launched and in 2023 we're able to get a grant from Asian forest organization cooperation. It's a Koreanbased uh organization amongst countries cooperation on environmental efforts and we're able to get a grant of for 3 years and um to establish uh 100 hectares uh uh arboretto. We're expected to at least reforest 100 hectares of uh area. So, So it's not in terms of number of trees but on a areas and oh hector and then arboretum it's a showcase of the Philippine native trees >> and is it all within the facilities site or >> not so uh we've been extending our uh our uh effort man uh outside of uh the facility in fact it's in Barangai so that's outside of the EDC uh EDC facility and yetation after the program initiative invite curiosity awareness communities and then enhance community and at the same time awareness. Would you believe more than 300?

[00:52:34]So that alone is a solid proof in fact.

[00:52:51]>> What's the benefit of this to the community and the workers that you're employing?

[00:52:57]workers alliance of Bakman farmers associations they're they've numbered at least more than a thousand already. So in terms of economic benefit they've been we've been providing them economic opportunities in terms of uh swel of course and then you livelihood opportunities. It's not only about planting uh planting and then making sure that uh this grows into trees talaga but they are also diver diversifying initiatives diversifies they operate the canteen so that only shows that we're not limited to planting and then effect I would like to believe schools in fact some of their scholars it's like full circle I'd like to establish connection of this initiative with geothermal power plant because if you would have to look at the power plant site It's lush greenery >> but still you're still doing this initiative.

[00:54:20]>> Yeah. Um too big operations. So this forest will somehow ensure the uh the sustainability of our resource underneath >> the scalability of this endeavoring power plant first gen. How could it be scaled with the other sites? It's the beauty of uh having this uh collaboration amongst uh EDC first gen EDC sites >> is that um we're able to uh um take note of the best practices of each site and then adapt some of the the the initiatives lessons learned impact on decarbonization and mitigation of climate change with this reforestation initiative. How have you been contributing to that?

[00:55:14]>> That's the bigger goal really of bigger challenge nature-based solution. Yes. That's the way to go.

[00:55:34]And as a father of three adversely affected most.

[00:55:59]So this is one very good initiative.

[00:56:03]>> Perhaps the message that you would have to the next generation because the earth that we have right now is not ours. We borrowed it from the next generation. So how does that inspire you?

[00:56:16]>> Twilight. So it's about >> giving back. Um I'm inspired to do some more. Um I know my level of influence somehow because of the number of years that I've been working with the communities has increased and I will do in my own little way learners initiatives or CSR activities that you're doing for the community. Um banner program first gen EDC when it comes to its uh CSR for environmental CCAT for education and then economic enterprise um livelihood initiatives and they are somehow employed. In fact, scholars first gen EDC in terms of education.

[00:57:33]We identify where we can possibly help in terms of infrastructure.

[00:57:44]School buildings recognizing school buildings. We also invest in technical vocational uh courses um at the height of the binary uh project and then they were employed project. So aside from the corporate level, what fulfillment does that give you even personal level?

[00:58:36]levelfillment at least and all. So in my heart I know that I would want to be remembered as someone who made a difference.

[00:59:08]>> In the energy world, the first gen geothermal story is proving that sometimes the hottest business strategy is literally underground.

[00:59:17]>> Who needs imported fuel when you're sitting on a boiling national asset?

[00:59:22]That's the power of geothermal in keeping the lights on. When life gave volcanoes, First Gen didn't run. It built power plants. This is power shift.

[00:59:33]Hard energy smart conversations.