Multinational oil firm Shell plc through its subsidiaries signed an agreement with a local firm for the development of renewable energy projects.
Shell Overseas Investments B.V., partnered with Emerging Power Inc. (EPI), the renewable energy subsidiary of listed mining firm, Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), to jointly develop, own, operate and maintain onshore renewable energy projects in the Philippines.
The EPI-Shell venture is targeting to build a capacity of as much as 1,000 megawatts (MW) by 2028 with ambitions to contribute up to 3,000 MW into the country’s renewable capacity by initially rolling out a series of projects in Luzon and Visayas.
The parties said focus will be on utility scale solar farms while also evaluating opportunities in onshore wind and energy storage systems.
“The joint venture has the full support of EPI’s parent company, NAC. This partnership would allow both companies to boost the supply of renewable energy in the Philippines and is in line with NAC’s vision to become the premier ESG (environmental, social and governance) investment in the country,” said Martin Antonio Zamora, NACpresident and chief executive officer, in a statement.
Lorelie Osial, country chair of the Shell Companies in the Philippines, said the partnership “will leverage on Shell’s technical expertise and integrated solutions as a global energy company and EPI’s strong presence in the Philippines.”
Osial added the joint venture is also an opportunity to provide integrated value to customers through exploring synergies with retail electricity supplier Shell Energy Philippines, Inc.
At present, EPI is operating the 100 MW solar farm in Mt. Sta. Rita in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales. It also recently secured a second 100 MW solar service contract in the similar site that is slated to begin development this year.
EPI is also developing pilot geothermal projects in Mindoro and Biliran. Once completed, the pilot operations may be expanded to realize potentially 20 MW in Mindoro and 50 MW in Biliran.
Meanwhile, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC) partnered with Northern Star Energy Corp. to transform the latter’s existing sites in Ilocos region, into Shell-branded mobility retail stations.
Randy del Valle, PSPC’s vice president for mobility, said the partnership will allow the company reach more customers and communities in La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, and Mountain Province.
Shell Mobility stations are equipped with an expanded range of products, full vehicle servicing as well as retail, lifestyle and food offerings.
The partnership adds over 100 sites in PSPC’s nationwide portfolio throughout the expected life of the deal to also support increasing travel and economic activity in Baguio City, Sagada, Banaue, La Union, Pagudpud and other tourist hotspots in the region.
