Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the real estate arm of JG Summit and one of the country’s leading real estate and property developers, has its eyes set on transitioning to the use of clean and renewable energy.
The company aims to achieve this goal with long-term projects and innovations that protect the environment.
Recently, this thrust was brought to life and enabled by RLC’s partnership with Meralco and its strategic subsidiaries, such as E-Sakay and Spectrum — companies focused on amplifying sustainability efforts.
With Meralco’s help, RLC has successfully implemented sustainability initiatives and projects geared towards solar energy adoption and the use and promotion of electric vehicles.
Last October 26, Robinsons Galleria-Ortigas officially opened two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to the public. Located conveniently at the mall’s parking area, the charging stations feature pods that can accommodate two-wheeled and three-wheeled EVs such as eBikes, eScooters, and eTrikes, and four-wheeled RVs such as battery electric vehicles and plug-in electric vehicles.
The charging stations were installed by eSakay, Meralco’s end-to-end EV solutions provider.
“Our strategic collaboration with Robinsons Land Corp. to build EV charging stations in Robinsons Malls underscores eSakay’s continuing commitment to promote the country’s important transition to electrified transport. This is all geared towards enabling our clients to enhance their operations while advancing their sustainability agenda,” said Raymond Ravelo, Meralco chief sustainability officer and eSakay president and CEO.
This push for sustainability goes beyond the use of EVs. Through Meralco, the real estate company collaborated with Spectrum, Meralco’s solar subsidiary that provides intelligent solar solutions, to provide its malls with a renewable energy source.
RLC is currently the country’s largest solar-powered mall operator, with solar rooftop installations in 24 Robinsons Malls generating a total capacity of over 30 megawatts of clean energy, helping reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel-based electricity.
Through the multi-party partnership, Spectrum has installed and is maintaining the solar panel operations of Robinsons Novaliches, Robinsons Angeles, Robinsons Bacolod, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, and Robinsons Palawan, allowing the malls to maximize their solar investment and increase their solar kWh production by up to 18.5 percent.
Spectrum also installed a 528-kWp solar system at Robinsons Palawan’s expansion area, which has so far generated approximately 2.8 million kWh of clean energy since its commercial operations started in 2017. This project alone reduced Robinsons Palawan expansion’s carbon footprint by about 2,000 metric tons, equivalent to 91,600 mature trees planted.
Meralco’s support of RLC’s sustainability investments and programs has allowed the real estate company to save as much as P2.3 million in energy costs since November 2021.
“Driving game-changing sustainability programs is an important priority for RLC. This imperative is fully aligned with the rising call for environmental conservation and efficient use of resources to help cushion the adverse effects of climate change,” said Faraday Go, RLC executive vice president.
The partnership with Meralco continues further as RLC plans to open eBike charging stations at Robinsons Magnolia and an AC charging station for four-wheeled EVs and plug-in electric vehicles at Robinsons Tagaytay, the first installation outside the National Capital Region.
