Green Means Go! You Can Charge EVs at Robinsons Malls, Thanks to RLC & Meralco

Other joint sustainability initiatives include solar power generation & energy audits

Robinsons Land Corporation and the Manila Electric Company advance their thrust to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions with the launch of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and the expansion of operations and maintenance of solar panels in different Robinsons Malls nationwide.

EV charging stations are now available for public use at Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas. Robinsons Magnolia follows next and soon, the first mall EV charging station outside of NCR opens at Robinsons Tagaytay.

The new EV charging stations are in support of the recently enacted Republic Act No. 11697, also known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, whose implementing rules and regulations require owners of buildings and establishments to designate dedicated parking slots for EVs.

Supplied and installed by Meralco subsidiary eSakay, Inc., an end-to-end EV solutions provider, the charging stations at Robinsons Malls feature charging pods for four-wheeled EVs such as battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and pods that can accommodate two-wheeled and three-wheeled EVs such as eBikes, eScooters, and eTrikes.

"Our strategic collaboration with Robinsons Land Corporation to build EV charging stations in Robinsons Malls underscores eSakay’s continuing commitment to promote the country’s important transition to electrified transport. It also highlights and heightens our pledge to provide our clients with top-notch, reliable, and fit-for-purpose electric mobility solutions, from EV to charging infrastructure solutions. This is all geared towards enabling our clients to enhance their operations while advancing their sustainability agenda,” said Raymond B. Ravelo, Meralco chief sustainability officer and eSakay president and CEO.

Besides the EV charging stations, RLC and Meralco are also strengthening their efforts to advance sustainability through renewable energy.

Robinsons Land is currently the country’s largest solar-powered mall operator, having installed solar photovoltaic systems (PV) at 24 of its Robinsons Malls to help with the reduction of carbon emissions and fossil fuel-based electricity, consistent with its commitment of “Making Life Better.” 

Spectrum, a Meralco subsidiary that provides end-to-end solar solutions, is RLC’s existing partner for the operations and maintenance of its solar installations in Robinsons Novaliches, Robinsons Angeles, Robinsons Cybergate Bacolod, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, and Robinsons Palawan Expansion. The scope includes servicing and replacement of equipment, dismantling and reinstallation of PV modules, cleaning of system, and generation monitoring, among others. The O&M services of Spectrum have allowed Robinsons Malls to increase its solar kWh production by up to 18.5%.

It was also Spectrum that installed a 528-kWp solar system at Robinsons Palawan Expansion, which has so far generated approximately 2,800,000 kwh of clean energy since it began commercial operations in 2017. This project alone reduced Robinsons Palawan Expansion’s carbon footprint by approximately 2,000 metric tons, equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by 91,600 mature trees each year. 

Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas has charging pods for four-wheeled EVs such as battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) as well as pods for two-wheeled and three-wheeled EVs such as eBikes, eScooters, and eTrikes. In support of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, similar charging stations will soon be found in other Robinsons Malls around the country. 

RLC also invested in more energy-efficient chillers for its malls and expanded the sourcing of electricity from renewable energy by partnering with renewable energy suppliers for its power requirements, growing its clean energy used in 2021 to 30.24 GWh. It has installed rainwater collection systems in 29 malls and is using greywater for landscaping and irrigation in 15 malls. 

Its renewable energy sourcing alone allowed the company to avoid as much as 19,804.94 metric tons of carbon emissions at its malls, improving a further 35.4% from its 14,627.89 metric ton carbon footprint reduction in 2020.

“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. Our partnership with the Meralco Group allows us to strengthen our commitment and introduce innovations that will have lasting positive impact for all our customers and for the environment,” said Faraday D. Go, RLC Executive Vice President.

RLC is one of the largest property developers nationwide, with businesses in residential, hotels and resorts, commercial centers, industrial and integrated developments, and office buildings. Meralco, meanwhile, has been proactively supporting RLC through various services including contract rightsizing that allowed the property developer to save as much as P2.1M in energy costs since November 2021. 

Its services also include an energy audit for RLC malls, offices, hotels, and warehouses, totaling 79 properties through Meralco’s business unit MServ. In compliance with the DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Law (EE&C Law), the audit includes walk-through and analysis of RLC properties to determine ways to increase their operational efficiency and complement the company’s sustainability agenda.

Meralco recently enrolled 10 Robinsons Malls to the Interruptible Load Program, through which RLC committed to de-load a total of 31 megawatts when needed and potentially spare around 124,000 households and small businesses from the inconvenience of unplanned power interruptions.

“We are grateful to our partners who have entrusted the O&M of their solar installations with us. Our shared goals, which are anchored on protecting the environment and improving our customers’ business, have led us to advance green alternatives," said Engr. Ferdinand O. Geluz, Spectrum President and CEO and Meralco First Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

“We in Meralco are committed to making our solutions as accessible and affordable to our customers while upholding the highest safety standards and quality control measures. We hope that our customers continue their environmental conservation journey, and we will continue to support them as we all move forward towards a cleaner and greener future,” Geluz added.

For more information on Robinsons Land, visit robinsonsland.com