METS Cold Storage Services, Inc. has partnered with renewable energy leader First Gen Corporation to power its cold storage facility in Cagayan de Oro with geothermal energy, marking a major step toward greener operations.

The supply agreement, signed October 3, covers up to 2,050 kilowatts of power for Mets’ expanding facility in Tablon, which currently offers more than 7,100 metric tons of cold storage capacity.

The geothermal power will come from the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant in Cotabato, owned and operated by Energy Development Corp. (EDC), a subsidiary of First Gen.

“We are pleased to partner with First Gen to reduce the energy intensity of our cold storage operations,” said Donna Robles, Mets’ chief operating officer.

She added: “This move will reduce not just our energy cost but our carbon footprint as well, while providing a stable power supply.”

Founded in 2010, Mets operates cold storage facilities in Cavite, Bulacan, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. The company offers more than 100,000 pallet positions for air-conditioned storage, blast freezing, and toll processing services.

Mets Cold Storage Services signs with First Gen for geothermal power supply for its Mindanao facility, located in Cagayan de Oro City. The agreement was signed by Mets officials led by (from left) Benedict Uy, Vice President for Business Development; Rafael Caunga, Vice President for Supply Chain, Engineering and Production; (2nd from right) Chief Operating Officer Donna Robles; and (rightmost) Eileen Tio, Vice President for Finance, Human Resources and Technology; with First Gen Assistant Vice President and Head of Sales and Engagement Arlene Sy Soriano and Nina Butil, Head of Mindanao Business Development and Sales. Photo courtesy of First Gen

Arlene Sy-Soriano, assistant vice president and head of sales and engagement at First Gen, said the partnership aligns with both companies’ sustainability goals.

“Cold storage is critical for ensuring safety and sanitation across the food and pharmaceutical supply chains,” she said. “We are committed to partnering with Mets to ensure they can power their cold storage operations sustainably with a steady supply of renewable energy.”

First Gen operates the country’s largest geothermal portfolio, totaling about 1,200 megawatts. Its renewable energy assets also include hydro, wind, and solar power, with a combined capacity of more than 400 MW.

In partnership with Prime Infrastructure Capital, First Gen also runs four gas-fired power plants with a combined output of 2,017 MW. These plants help stabilize the grid and offset the intermittency of renewable sources, underscoring the company’s strategy for a balanced, low-carbon energy mix.