Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) has switched to 100 percent renewable energy (RE), partnering with ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), the supply retail arm of the Ayala Group’s listed energy platform ACEN Corp.
The move supports Mapúa MCL’s goal of sustainable campus operations, with its campus now fully powered by energy from ACEN’s renewable energy plants.
The transition marks a significant milestone for Mapúa MCL’s broader green initiative and solidifies its commitment to sustainable energy use and climate action.
The change aims to substantially reduce the school’s carbon footprint, aligning with its target to lower its carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 5 percent by the end of 2025 and by 10 percent the following year.
The initiative was facilitated by Mapúa MCL’s Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS), a center of excellence established in August 2024 to advance sustainable development.
The IGS was instrumental in assessing ACEN RES products, aligning with Mapúa University’s own complete switch to renewable energy in February 2025, and achieving internal consistency between departments.
“The ceremonial switch showcases Mapúa MCL’s commitment to reduce our carbon footprint to the minimum level possible for our institution’s operations,” said assistant vice president Rolando Bitor, Mapúa MCL – IGS Director.
“It has made this target a very achievable one since the use of electrical energy for our operations contributes much to our CO2e contribution to the environment. A sustainable source of RE would ensure our CO2e emission reduction targets for the following years would be easily within our reach.”
Mapúa MCL’s shift away from fossil fuels was partly motivated by the consistency and large pool of renewable energy sources provided by ACEN RES.
With power generation facilities across the Philippines, the renewable energy company offers a stable and renewable power supply — a vital consideration for Mapúa MCL’s operations, which rely heavily on electricity for online and onsite learning, IT system infrastructure and other campus functions.
“We are proud to support Mapúa MCL’s bold shift to renewable energy. Educational institutions have a powerful role to play in shaping a low-carbon future,” said Sheila Mina, vice president and head of account management for ACEN RES.
“By choosing renewable energy, Mapúa MCL demonstrates strong leadership while setting an example for others in the academic sector.”
The shift to renewable energy is one of several projects in Mapúa MCL’s sustainability plan.
In support of this year’s Earth Month, the IGS also spearheaded a set of schoolwide activities to encourage its community to take action on environmental causes.
The monthlong initiatives included Earth Hour observance, an e-waste collection campaign titled “E-lluminate: E-Waste Drive for Solar Energy” in collaboration with e-waste recycling company HMR, promotion of the Renewable Energy Petition, and benchmarking with Western Sydney University, ranked the No. 1 university by Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking since 2022.
The campus also held an Earth Day Fair with onsite and online workshops on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), climate change and local environmental concerns.
With the partnership established by Mapúa MCL and ACEN RES, the institution is poised to reach and surpass its CO₂e emission reduction targets, creating a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Mapúa MCL’s switch to 100 percent renewable energy aligns with UN SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
