SMDC launches Iloilo solar project, expands RE push

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By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

SM Development Corp. (SMDC) expanded its renewable energy (RE) program beyond Metro Manila by activating its first solar-powered residential system in the Visayas at Style Residences in Iloilo City on Earth Day, April 22, 2026.

The Iloilo rollout forms part of a broader RE partnership with Buskowitz Energy Inc., formalized in October 2025, covering four pilot projects—Style Residences in Iloilo, and Spring Residences, South Residences, and Vine Residences in Metro Manila.

With the system now operational, solar energy will supply power to selected common areas of Style Residences, including lighting and shared facilities, supporting the property’s daily electricity needs.

SMDC said the initiative is expected to cut energy consumption in pilot developments by about 15%, improving operational efficiency and reducing electricity-related costs over time.

Jessica Bianca Sy, vice president and head of design, innovation, and strategy at SMDC and SM Prime Holdings Inc., said the energization reflects a broader shift in how residential communities are designed and managed.

“Sustainability becomes more meaningful when people actually experience it in their daily lives,” she said.

“Bringing this to Iloilo is a step toward making that experience more inclusive—so more communities can benefit from how we design and operate our developments,” she added.

James Carlos P. Buskowitz, president and CEO of Buskowitz Energy Inc., said the energization demonstrates how RE can be integrated into residential developments and scaled beyond major urban centers.

“Projects like Style Residences show that solar solutions can support everyday operations efficiently, while helping communities transition to more sustainable energy use,” he said.

Following the Iloilo launch, SMDC said similar RE systems will be activated across its remaining pilot developments as part of its rollout program.

The company also said RE integration will become a standard feature in future SMDC Nature developments, aligning with SM Prime Holdings’ broader sustainability agenda.

SMDC said the initiative underscores its long-term direction of embedding sustainability into residential design and operations, with RE expected to play a larger role in how communities function daily.