Geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is taking its mission to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future a step further by using electric vehicles powered by the clean, renewable Geo 24/7 that it generates, a first not only in the Philippines but possibly in the Asia Pacific region.
Geo 24/7 is EDC's own brand of geothermal energy that has provided the country with much-needed clean, low-carbon power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round, for over 40 years.
EDC is piloting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) fueled by steam energy from the charging station it built at its Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant in Kananga, Leyte; the company's first-ever geothermal facility also has the biggest wet steamfield in the world. The first of three Rich6EV 4×2 pickup trucks are already at the site, while the two others will be made available in the first quarter of 2023 through its partner, Hong Equipment and Development (HEAD) Corporation.
100% Geo24/7-powered electric vehicle. This Rich6EV 4×2 electric vehicle that EDC will use is the first to be fueled by power from geothermal energy.
These three initial EVs are part of EDC's transport fleet from HEAD Corporation, its reliable equipment and service vehicle provider for over 30 years, and will be tested in EDC's Leyte project site for six months to determine how many units should be added to its rented fleet not only in Leyte but also in all its facilities across the country.
"This electric vehicle symbolizes our company's over 30-year journey as a partner of EDC. It is the most modern model that can run for 300-400 kilometers when fully charged. More than just an electric vehicle, what makes it special is it is powered by geothermal, which makes it a 100% renewable energy-powered vehicle. Others are powered by electricity that usually comes from carbon-intensive coal. This EV is the vehicle of the future. Thank you, EDC, for making this happen," said William Hong, Vice President for Business Development at HEAD Corporation.
Key to a decarbonized future. HEAD Corporation's Vice President for Business Development (2nd from left) turns over the key of the first electric vehicle in the country to be powered by geothermal energy to Albenya Portia Saw (3rd from left), head of the Energy Development Corporation's Leyte Facilities Administration and Environment Services, whose team will be responsible for testing the vehicle to determine its benefits prior to rolling it out to the rest of EDC's operating sites across the country. Also in the photo are George Hong, President and CEO of HEAD Corporation (left); Gloria Amboy, head of EDC's Supply Chain Management-Indirect Category (4th from left); Atty. Allan Barcena, AVP and Corporate Relations & Communications head at EDC (2nd from right); and Erwin Magallanes, EDC's Corporate Relations Department Head in Leyte (right).
EDC is likewise thankful to HEAD Corporation for readily committing to make this dream of using EVs a reality and for saying yes to the testing phase that will allow both parties to learn more about the cost savings, avoided carbon emissions, and also the challenges of using them.
"We have been searching for a partner that offers the best deal for our shift to electric vehicles, and we found one in HEAD Corporation," said Gloria Amboy, EDC's Supply Chain head for Indirect Category and program manager for the company's EV project.
Amboy confirmed that EDC is also looking to rent electric buses that will shuttle its employees to its project sites and put up EV charging stations in its host city, starting with Ormoc City in Leyte.
Driven to decarbonize. HEAD Corporation's Vice President for Business Development, William Hong, tests drives the first electric vehicle to be powered by Geo 24/7 that the Energy Development Corporation will be using for its Supply Chain Management-Indirect Category. Also in the photo are Gloria Amboy and Erwin Magallanes, the Corporate Relations Department Head in Leyte.
"Our long-term goal is to roll out this project in all EDC sites across the country. After all, what we want is to continuously be true and consistent with our mission to have a decarbonized future," added Amboy.
EDC's 711-megawatt Leyte geothermal facility currently supplies more than 30% of the country's installed geothermal capacity. It is also responsible for putting the Philippines on the map as the world's 3rd largest geothermal producer and has been providing a reliable supply of clean power to the Luzon and Visayas regions for almost 40 years.
