AboitizPower solar and geo units earn, maintain ISO certifications

AboitizPower subsidiary San Carlos Sun Power, Inc. (SacaSun) has earned certifications for its compliance to international standards in quality management, environmental management, as well as occupational health and safety management systems.

This development came three years after SacaSun, the operator of the 59-MWp utility-scale solar photovoltaic power plant located in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental began supplying clean and renewable energy to the grid.

SacaSun passed the external integrated management system (IMS) surveillance audit conducted by TUV Rheinland Philippines, Inc. on October 14 to 16, 2019.

“The organization was able to materialize and continuously provide projects to the community as part of community service relations such as Brigada Eskwela, Community-based DRRM Training and Equipment Donation, and Back-to-School Support for Elementary Schools Project 2019,” Lionell Aala, auditor for SacaSun, said.

Since 2016, SacaSunhas been fulfilling its commitmentto co-creating safe, empowered, and sustainable communities through its various corporate social responsibility programs, community sponsorships, and ER 1-94 projects.

Meanwhile, AboitizPower’s geothermal unit AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI) maintained the validity of its certificates for ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) for its corporate center in Taguig City and its power facilities in MakBan, Laguna and Tiwi, Albay.

The two power facilities also maintained their ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS) certificate and upgraded their Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) certificate to the latest version, which is ISO 45001:2018.

All three sites registered zero non-conformity in the last four years.

“By implementing IMS in our internal process, we are able to achieve operational and service excellence while providing consistent employee development, reducing occupational health and safety risks, and creating a conducive working environment for our people and partners,” said Alexander B. Coo, president and chief operating officer of AboitizPower’s geothermal and solar business units.

TUV Rheinland Philippines lead auditor Eufronio Alonzo cited the internal IMS audit process of APRI as one of the best practices in the AboitizPower group.

“Quarterly 5S audits also resulted in an excellent state of housekeeping at different sites,” he added. 5S is a system for organizing spaces so work can be performed efficiently, effectively, and safely.

TUV external auditors noted a total of 23 positive findings for both APRI and SacaSun, reinforcing the companies’ commitment to advancing business and communities.

AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services. It advances business and communities by providing reliable and ample power supply at a reasonable and competitive price, and with the least adverse effects on the environment and host communities.

The company is one of the largest power producers in the Philippines with a balanced portfolio of assets located across the country. It is a major producer of Cleanergy, its brand for clean and renewable energy with several hydroelectric, geothermal and solar power generation facilities. It also has thermal power plants in its generation portfolio to support the baseload and peak energy demands of the country.

The company also owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including the second and third largest private utilities in the country.