The Department of Energy (DOE) recognized TeaM Energy Foundation, Inc. (TEFI) for its outstanding contribution to sustainable energy at the recently concluded Sustainable Energy Awards 2024. TEFI’s Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) 4th Pilot Project in Barangay Bago, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, was celebrated for its innovative approach to renewable energy and rural development.
The PURE pilot project, implemented in partnership with the Bago Integrated Solar Farmers Association (BISFA), features a renewable energy-based post-harvest solution designed to benefit local pineapple farmers. This initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of TEFI, the Department of Energy, and the European Union-supported Access to Sustainable Energy Program (EU-ASEP). The project is powered by a 4-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system, which drives a decorticating machine to produce high-quality, export-ready piña fiber from pineapple leaves. Piña fiber, a sustainable and versatile material, is highly sought in the international textile market for its use in clothing and as an alternative to leather.
TEFI supported the project through funding for the fabrication of the solar-powered decorticating machine, the procurement of solar components such as panels and batteries, and the construction and renovation of the powerhouse facility. The Department of Energy and EU-ASEP provided technical assistance in the preparation of a feasibility study for the project with early coordination with the local government to ensure the project’s successful implementation. The LGU of Don Salvador Benedicto provided a cash counterpart in the completion of the PURE building.
Don Salvador Benedicto, known as the primary pineapple-producing region in Central Visayas with over 2,000 hectares of pineapple fields, has embraced this transformative initiative. By utilizing renewable energy to process agricultural by-products, the PURE project underscores the region’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
“The PURE pilot project is a testament to how renewable energy can drive rural development and improve livelihoods. By providing this solar facility, we are empowering farmers and contributing to a greener economy,” said Maria Teresa Lopez, vice president of TEFI.
TeaM Energy Foundation is the social development arm of TeaM Energy, which operates the 735 MW Pagbilao Power Station in Quezon and holds a 50 percent stake in the adjacent Pagbilao 3 Power Project.
