CAPITOL University Medical Center (CUMC), one of the largest private medical facilities in Mindanao, has marked a historic milestone by becoming the region's first hospital to be fully powered by renewable energy.
The transition was made possible through a partnership with First Gen Corporation, the country's leading renewable energy provider.
Under the agreement signed last month, First Gen will supply 900 kilowatts of geothermal power to support the electricity needs of the 200-bed hospital. This includes power for its Kidney Institute and other specialty care facilities.
The clean energy will be sourced directly from the Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant in Cotabato, which is owned and operated by the Energy Development Corporation, a subsidiary of First Gen.
CUMC President Dr. Rosalinda Deleste highlighted the dual benefit of the switch: operational efficiency and community health.
“We are pleased to be the first medical center in Mindanao to be powered directly by geothermal energy that is also harnessed from Mindanao. We look forward to reaping the benefits of using renewable energy not just for helping the environment, but for doing our part to improve the health and well-being of Kagayanons,” Deleste said.
How they did it
The hospital bypassed traditional coal-heavy sources through the government’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP).
This program empowers eligible consumers — those with an average peak demand of at least 100 kilowatts — to choose their own power source. Through GEOP, CUMC was able to contract 100% of its electricity requirements from a renewable supplier.
Unlike solar or wind, which can be intermittent, CUMC chose geothermal energy because it provides a consistent, 24/7 baseload capacity essential for critical hospital operations.
“Geothermal energy is ideal for hospitals, industries and other businesses that need reliable RE supply. It’s an honor to support CUMC as they begin their journey towards decarbonization,” said Carlo Vega, First Gen Chief Customer Engagement Officer.
Expanding green footprints
First Gen currently maintains over 1,700 megawatts of renewable capacity across 22 geothermal, wind, solar, and hydro facilities.
Beyond the Mt. Apo facility, the company operates a 1.6-megawatt run-of-river mini-hydro facility in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, powered by the Agusan River.
The company is further expanding its green footprint in Mindanao with two upcoming run-of-river projects: the 32-megawatt Bubunawan Hydro project in Libona, Bukidnon, and the 40-megawatt San Isidro Hydroelectric Power Project along the Cagayan de Oro River.
These designs generate electricity using the river's natural flow, eliminating the need for large dams or reservoirs.
