Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), a business unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), has started using solar power exclusively for its daytime operations at the Port of Cagayan de Oro.
“The Mindanao Container Terminal is a key gateway for the region, and reducing carbon emissions from our operations aligns with ICTSI’s broader environmental objectives,” MCT President and General Manager Aurelio C. Garcia said in a press release.
“This shift to solar power reflects our commitment to sustainability and demonstrates the steps we are taking to lower emissions,” Garcia added.
(Also read: Nearly 3,000 MW of renewable energy projects in the pipeline for Mindanao)
MCT began sourcing solar power on February 14 from PrimeRES Energy Corporation under the government’s Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) framework, which lets qualified customers with a monthly peak demand of at least 500 kilowatts choose their electricity supplier.
PrimeRES Energy Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra), is a licensed retail electricity supplier specializing in renewable energy (RE) solutions.
To ensure 24/7 operations, MCT operates fully on solar energy from PrimeRES during the day. At night, it draws power from PrimeRES’ supply portfolio, including the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). This hybrid approach maximizes the use of clean energy while ensuring operational stability.
“This partnership with MCT exemplifies our commitment to delivering affordable and reliable power solutions tailored to meet diverse needs,” said Daniel O. Arago, PrimeRES Energy Corporation’s chief operating officer. “We appreciate MCT’s trust and shared vision of providing consumers with environmentally friendly energy solutions at competitive costs.”
(Also read: The Most Significant Energy Projects in Mindanao in 2024: A Wrap-up)
ICTSI, through its subsidiary Mindanao International Container Terminal Services Inc. (MICTSI), recently secured a 25-year extension to operate and manage MCT.
In line with its long-term plan of enhancing capacity and efficiency, MCT will invest over $100 million in infrastructure upgrades. These improvements include a 300-meter berth extension to accommodate larger vessels and support new service routes, plus new cargo-handling equipment to support projected cargo volume growth.
Once completed, these upgrades are expected to boost the terminal’s annual capacity beyond its present 350,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). By improving the connectivity, capacity, and efficiency of the terminal for importers and exporters in Mindanao, MCT is assisting in government efforts to increase the region’s investment and business activity.
Sources:
https://insiderph.com/razons-mindanao-container-terminal-turns-to-solar-for-daytime-operations
https://ictsi.com/press-releases/mindanao-container-terminal-increases-renewable-energy-utilization
https://www.wesm.ph/market-development/retail
https://primeinfra.ph/sectors/primeres-energy-corporation/
https://portcalls.com/ictsi-firm-secures-25-year-extension-to-operate-mindanao-container-terminal/
