(L-R) Philip Roxas, Commercial Director, Berde Renewables; John Joseph B. Inton, Director, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority; Patrick Zhu, CEO, Berde Renewables; Vincent Chen, President, Datian Subic Shoes Inc.; Zack Chang, HR Manager, Datian Subic Shoes Inc.; Atty. Jocelyn Alvarado, Corporate Secretary, Datian Subic Shoes Inc.; Bong Mallillin, Asset Management and Operations Director, Berde Renewables; and Joel Foronda, Project Manager, Berde Renewables, attend the energization ceremony for Datian Subic Shoes’ 3.06-MWp rooftop solar installations in Subic Bay.
Datian Subic Shoes Inc. has energized 3.06 megawatts-peak (MWp) of rooftop solar installations across its two manufacturing plants in Subic Bay, reducing its reliance on grid electricity while supporting sustainability goals for its global footwear supply chain.
Developed, financed, and operated by Berde Renewables, the systems are expected to reduce the factories’ grid electricity consumption by more than 40%, with no upfront capital investment from Datian.
The installation comprises 2.063 MWp at Factory 1 and 1 MWp at Factory 2, using 4,834 bifacial solar modules and 17 inverters. The systems are projected to generate approximately 4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in their first year and more than 80 GWh over the 20-year contract. They are also expected to avoid around 3,232 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
For Datian, which employs more than 5,000 people in the Philippines, the project addresses rising energy costs, supply-chain emissions requirements, and power reliability concerns. On-site solar generation can reduce daytime grid dependence, while verifiable energy data can help the manufacturer support customers’ sustainability reporting.
The project operates under a 20-year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) power purchase agreement. Berde Renewables financed, designed, and built the systems and will handle their operation and maintenance throughout the contract period. The arrangement also provides Datian with a fixed electricity tariff, helping manage exposure to energy price volatility.
Datian President Vincent Chen said the project strengthens the company’s position as a global supplier without diverting capital from production. Berde Renewables CEO Patrick Zhu added that energy costs and emissions performance are increasingly important factors in manufacturing competitiveness.
The installation is among the largest rooftop solar projects by a manufacturer in the Subic Bay Freeport, demonstrating how renewable energy technology can help industrial facilities manage electricity costs, improve energy resilience, and reduce their environmental impact.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed at Datian Subic Shoes’ Factory 1 in Subic Bay. Berde Renewables will operate and maintain the rooftop solar system under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
