PLDT Accelerates Cell Site Solarization as Energy Costs Rise

PLDT Inc. (PLDT) is accelerating the solarization of its cell sites as part of a sustainability-aligned strategy to manage rising electricity costs and strengthen network resilience amid global inflationary pressures and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

“With the current environment, it’s still too early to tell how consumer behavior will ultimately evolve,” said PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Head of Network Menardo “Butch” Jimenez Jr. “We’re looking at initial data to understand any impact on our business. On our end, the bigger focus is really on managing costs—especially electricity and fuel—and that’s where our sustainability initiatives come in.”

Jimenez said electricity and fuel remain the most significant and volatile drivers of PLDT’s operating expenses. While fuel costs are partly cushioned by the telco’s special pricing agreements with major fuel distributors, electricity costs are more exposed to market fluctuations due to the absence of long-term contracts across facilities.

“That’s where we’re seeing the biggest jump,” he said. “We’re becoming much more disciplined in how we manage power consumption, and we’re accelerating our ability to solarize our cell sites. This allows us to become more efficient and gives us greater control over our energy costs.”

From long-term strategy to operational resilience

The accelerated solarization program builds on PLDT and Smart’s green transition, previously highlighted as a key pillar of operational resilience amid the global energy crisis. Anchored on the Group’s commitment to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% by 2030, decarbonization has been embedded into network planning, facility operations, and energy procurement over several years.

By expanding the use of on-site solar power at cell sites, PLDT reduces dependence on grid electricity, improves cost predictability, and enhances network stability—particularly in areas vulnerable to power disruptions and price volatility.

“We don’t have the benefit of perfect visibility given global conditions,” Jimenez added. “What we can do is act decisively on the areas we can control. Solarizing a lot of our sites strengthens our resilience while supporting our sustainability goals.”

Sustainability as a cost and reliability lever

PLDT and Smart’s broader sustainability initiatives continue to support this effort. Several major facilities in Greater Metro Manila already operate entirely on renewable energy, while high-consumption buildings are powered through clean energy supply agreements. Smart’s AI-enabled green radio technology further reduces energy use by dynamically adjusting a cell site’s power consumption based on real-time demand.

“As long as current pressures do not extend deep into the second half of the year, we believe these measures will allow us to manage on the OPEX side,” Jimenez said. “Our priority is to protect our network, manage costs responsibly, and continue delivering reliable connectivity for our customers.”

Globe Network Preparedness Amid National Energy Emergency

In light of the recent declaration placing the country under a State of National Energy Emergency, Globe assures its customers that its services will continue without disruption and as close to normal as possible, with its business continuity plan (BCP) activated to ensure that its network remains stable and operational amid concerns over fuel supply and energy availability.

Under the BCP, the company will undergo the following initiatives:

1. Expanded work from home for all Globe employees except the critical workforce in network and IT operations, stores and other sales channels, customer service, and network security. Other energy-saving measures have also been introduced, including limits on travel policy, car pooling, and new incentives for EV use.

2. Prioritization of network fuel and energy needs to ensure that network services will continue to operate unimpeded. Globe is working closely with partners so that gensets across our cell sites will have ample fuel supply in case of commercial power interruptions. Battery runtime management is also in place to address scenarios where both grid power and generator support may be affected.

Globe is strengthening its energy management approach through energy efficiency measures and increased use of renewable energy to diversify its power sources. Currently, approximately 30 percent of Globe’s network runs on renewable energy. The company also continues to deploy energy-efficient technologies, including AI solutions that help optimize energy consumption across its sites.

Globe remains focused on maintaining reliable service while strengthening its operational resilience and energy strategy in response to the volatile geopolitical and energy conditions.

Globe Network Preparedness Amid National Energy Emergency

In light of the recent declaration placing the country under a State of National Energy Emergency, Globe assures its customers that its services will continue without disruption and as close to normal as possible, with its business continuity plan (BCP) activated to ensure that its network remains stable and operational amid concerns over fuel supply and energy availability.

Under the BCP, the company will undergo the following initiatives:

1. Expanded work from home for all Globe employees except the critical workforce in network and IT operations, stores and other sales channels, customer service, and network security. Other energy-saving measures have also been introduced, including limits on travel policy, car pooling, and new incentives for EV use.

2. Prioritization of network fuel and energy needs to ensure that network services will continue to operate unimpeded. Globe is working closely with partners so that gensets across our cell sites will have ample fuel supply in case of commercial power interruptions. Battery runtime management is also in place to address scenarios where both grid power and generator support may be affected.

Globe is strengthening its energy management approach through energy efficiency measures and increased use of renewable energy to diversify its power sources. Currently, approximately 30 percent of Globe’s network runs on renewable energy. The company also continues to deploy energy-efficient technologies, including AI solutions that help optimize energy consumption across its sites.

Globe remains focused on maintaining reliable service while strengthening its operational resilience and energy strategy in response to the volatile geopolitical and energy conditions.

Eastern Champions Sustainability with First Gen Partnership to Power Makati HQ and Key Tech Sites with Renewable Energy

Renewable energy (RE) utilization of Eastern Communications (Eastern Comms) across its offices and operations centers increases from 2% to 10%, marking a significant and measurable milestone in environmental performance and operational reliability.

The boost in RE use comes as Eastern Comms completes its transition to geothermal energy, following a strategic partnership with First Gen Corporation (First Gen).

Through this partnership, First Gen will supply geothermal energy to power the telco provider’s Makati headquarters and key Technical Operations Centers (TOCs), reinforcing the Eastern Comms’ view that future-ready digital infrastructure must be supported by clean, resilient energy.

“This partnership represents a clear step forward in how we power our operations,” said Atty. Aileen Regio, Co-coordinator of Eastern Comms. “By integrating geothermal energy into key facilities, we are reinforcing the resilience of our core infrastructure. Sustainability, for us, is directly linked to service continuity and long-term performance.”

The geothermal energy is sourced from facilities in Leyte, reinforcing the role of indigenous renewable resources in securing the country’s energy future. For Eastern Comms, the partnership ensures that critical network facilities—those that keep enterprises connected—are backed by stable, dependable power while also lowering carbon emissions.

The transition is enabled by the government’s Retail Competition Open Access (RCOA) program, which allows large electricity consumers to directly contract with power suppliers. Through RCOA, Eastern Comms is able to make deliberate energy choices that align with its long-term sustainability strategy while strengthening efficiency across its facilities.

“Increasing our renewable utilization is a concrete milestone. Together with the 222 kW solar capacity already supporting our Makati HQ and TOCs, our adoption of renewable geothermal energy strengthens our ability to operate efficiently while aligning with national climate priorities and the broader shift toward a circular economy,” said Jaeson Evangelista, Co-coordinator of Eastern Comms.

The renewable energy shift forms part of the telco provider’s ongoing infrastructure modernization initiatives, which include intelligent automation upgrades, energy-efficient systems, and phased disaster resilience projects designed to fortify its facilities and core network. These investments reflect the company’s 2026 direction, “Dare To Soar,” anchored on innovation, reliability, and responsible growth.

As Eastern Communications advances its “Dare To Soar” direction, the partnership with First Gen demonstrates how digital innovation and sustainability are becoming increasingly interconnected. Powering critical facilities with renewable energy is a strategic move to build a more resilient, future-ready network.

To learn more about Eastern Communications and their upcoming partnerships, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.

PLDT Makati Main Offices, High-Energy Consumption Facilities Now Powered With Renewable Energy

PLDT Inc. (PLDT), the Philippines’ leading fully integrated telecommunications network, continues to expand the adoption of greening solutions as it increases renewable energy (RE) sourcing for 17 facilities, including its main offices in Makati City.

Under its agreement with Meralco’s local retail electricity unit, MPower, PLDT gains access to an increasing amount of RE from the Competitive Retail Electricity Market (CREM) for select high-power-consuming facilities with a combined electricity demand of more than 15,000 kilowatt (kW) per month.

Included in these facilities are PLDT’s main offices at the Ramon Cojuangco Building and Makati General Office, which are located at the heart of the Makati Central Business District and have an aggregate power demand of approximately 2,200 kW per month.

This move is projected to initially reduce PLDT’s carbon emissions by around 18,000 tCO₂e metric tons per year, supporting its decarbonization roadmap that targets a 40% reduction of Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 with a 2019 baseline.

“Embracing RE is a strategic step in transforming how we power connectivity. As our customers – whether large enterprises or individual consumers – are becoming more conscious of sustainability and increasingly concerned about their environmental impact, we are evolving alongside and building a network that is not only reliable and far-reaching but also aligned with the vision for a greener future.” said Menardo “Butch” Jimenez, Jr., PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Head of Network.

Meanwhile, Leo Gonzales, PLDT Property and Facilities Management Head, said, “As the business grows, we continuously seek efficiencies amid increasing power and resource requirements. This transition to RE helps us in achieving these, while also reducing the environmental footprint of our operations.”

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have been working with MPower to support the various programs of the Energy and Regulatory Commission (ERC). These include participation in the CREM and the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), which may be secured by eligible end-users through Retail Supply Contracts (RSCs) from licensed or authorized suppliers, by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or the Republic Act 9136.

Earlier, PLDT and Smart registered 153 sites into the RAP, which enables access to RE for facilities with a combined energy demand of over 2,500 kW per month. By year-end, PLDT and Smart are eyeing to expand further RAP coverage to more sites in Visayas and Mindanao.

Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “As PLDT prepares to mark its 100th year in 2028, the continuing integration of RE into our power mix supports our goal of ensuring that our business existence extends into the future and responds to the evolving expectations of our stakeholders.”

Vergel de Dios explained that increasingly, Enterprise customers are seeking low-carbon emitting products and those that are backed by climate-efficient technologies and modes of operations, while retail customers who are Millennials and Gen Zs appear to be more and more driven by eco-consciousness.

Alongside the use of RE, PLDT is continuously upgrading its fixed network from copper to fiber optic cable, which generates less heat and no longer requires cooling systems, as compared to previous technologies. Smart has also been leveraging the use of Artificial Intelligence to track network activity and optimize the energy use of its cell sites across the country.

These efforts represent the PLDT Group’s continuing contribution to the country’s green energy transition and support to the global ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Schneider Electric named the world’s most sustainable company by Time magazine and Statista

Rueil-Malmaison, France – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has topped the "World's Most Sustainable Companies for 2024" list by Time magazine and Statista. This recognition reflects Schneider Electric's ambitious goals to reduce its own emissions, but also the company’s commitment to helping its customers to become more energy efficient and reduce their emissions.

Both Time and Statista highlighted Schneider Electric's technological expertise and the Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) program. This transformative program drives and measures the company’s progress toward global sustainability 2021–2025 targets contributing to six long-term commitments that cover all environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions. Through this progress, the company helped customers reduce their carbon emissions, with 553 million tonnes of CO2 saved and avoided since 2018. The company has also made significant progress in transforming its own supply chain. Carbon emissions from Schneider Electric's top 1,000 suppliers fell by 27% since the beginning of the program — and 21% of the company's most strategic supply chain partners have met Schneider Electric's decent work standards.

"We are incredibly honored to be recognized as the world's most sustainable company," said Peter Herweck, CEO of Schneider Electric. “This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability, which is embedded in everything we do. We consider the environment, society, and good governance in our decisions and daily operations. That's why we're pushing hard to make even more progress on our sustainability goals and ensure everyone contributes to creating a positive and enduring impact”.

Schneider Electric was also recently included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the 13th consecutive year, ranked #1 in its industry, and secured its place in the Europe index. This achievement reflects its strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, with sustainability at the core of its strategy.

Time and Statista used a transparent, multi-stage methodology to identify the world's most sustainable companies for 2024. The process began with a pool of over 5,000 of the world's largest and most influential companies. Following a four-stage assessment, the final ranking considered factors like external sustainability ratings and commitments, corporate reporting practices, and environmental and social performance indicators. This comprehensive approach produced a ranking of 500 companies from over 30 countries.

Related resources 

●       World's Most Sustainable Companies 2024 | TIME

●        TIME/Statista World's Most Sustainable Companies 2024 Methodology | TIME

Schneider Electric urges PH data centers to implement smart and sustainable solutions to minimize energy consumption

Manila, Philippines – Schneider Electric, the leader in energy management and digital automation, underscores the importance of a green approach to data center design and operations to future-proof operations and lessen carbon emissions. This will make the industry more sustainable and resilient to growing demands. 

The company recently gathered data center industry players to discuss today’s data landscape and challenges in an event called Power Up: Fuel Your Path For Success.

Uptime Institute, an international research organization on global data centers, estimated a 500% growth in data generated from 2019-2025 all over the world. As its operations are energy-intensive, the data center industry is estimated to account for 1% of global electricity consumption.

"Data centers have become integral to our rapidly growing internet economy. The need to transition to sustainable operations has become more pronounced," said Carlos Leviste, Business Development and Marketing Director at Schneider Electric Philippines. He added that industries have previously leaned heavily on fuel alone to run their operations. As data center facilities are energy-intensive, data centers play a pivotal role in sustainability. The most efficient way would be to shift to electricity and digital.

However, there is a growing preference across industries for maximizing energy management systems and digital tools, which not only drive operational efficiency but also promote sustainability. Data centers, equipped with smarter operations, can optimize costs, speed, and capital to prepare them for future technological integrations and risk mitigation.

Schneider Electric is at the forefront of this advancement with its extensive suite of digital solutions to improve the efficiency and sustainability of data centers. For instance, APC, Schneider Electric’s flagship brand, offers high-efficiency uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), cooling units, and monitoring systems to foresee any unwanted downtime within the data centers and pinpoint inefficiencies in their operations.

In particular, the oil-free cooling centrifugal compressors with magnetic bearings chiller systems that Schneider Electric utilizes allow data centers to consume power more efficiently and sustainably.

Similarly, Schneider Electric provides renewable Power & Grid solutions that can help produce electricity sustainably to fuel data center facilities’ increasing needs.

“Through these solutions, data center facilities can reduce operational costs in design and engineering, function using grid-compliant assets and software with reduced cybersecurity risks, and ensure proactive maintenance of assets to maintain optimum uninterrupted performance,” said Sara El Fanidi, Power and Grid Sales Leader of Schneider Electric APAC.

Furthering its commitment to sustainable digital transformation, Schneider Electric has also introduced new industry certifications within its EcoXpert™ Partner Program. These certifications are aimed at empowering partners to become trusted advisors on Data Center and Critical Infrastructure solutions, ensuring data centers are not only efficient and resilient but also sustainable.

By harnessing the power of digital transformation and connected infrastructure, Schneider Electric is setting a new standard for data centers — one that prioritizes sustainability, reliability, efficiency, and resilience in the face of rapidly changing demands.