Nippon Sanso Ingasco Taps First Gen to Fully Power Mindanao Plant with Renewable Energy

Nippon Sanso Ingasco Group (NSIG), a Philippine subsidiary of Japan’s Nippon Sanso Holdings Group, has partnered with First Gen Corporation to supply 100% renewable energy (RE) to its industrial gas manufacturing facility in Mindanao.

The agreement, signed on April 2, marks a milestone in the industrial gas sector’s shift toward sustainability. Under the deal, First Gen will provide 2.6 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the Mindanao Geothermal Power Plant in North Cotabato. The plant is owned and operated by First Gen’s renewable energy arm, Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

NSIG’s facility is located within the Phividec Industrial Estate in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

“This initiative aligns with our global commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” said NSIG President Takenori Kawachino. “Powering our Tagoloan operations entirely with renewable energy demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and sets a precedent for cleaner production practices across our global operations.”

The collaboration is facilitated under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) provision of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, which allows electricity customers with an average peak demand of at least 500 kilowatts to purchase electricity directly from qualified suppliers.

Carlo Vega, Chief Engagement Officer of First Gen, emphasized the importance of such partnerships in driving decarbonization. “Transitioning to direct RE supply under RCOA comes with challenges, but the benefits far outweigh them. We remain committed to supporting customers like NSIG in achieving their carbon reduction goals while ensuring a stable and efficient power supply.”

The move strengthens both companies’ positions as sustainability leaders and reinforces First Gen’s role as a key enabler of the Philippines’ transition to clean energy.