Upgrade Energy Philippines (UGEP)
Upgrade Energy Philippines (UGEP) started in 2015 as a Joint Venture between PhilCarbon, one of the pioneer renewable energy project developers in the Philippines and Upgrade Energy, a Belgian company focusing on energy solutions for industrial consumers.
The first projects of UGEP in 2015 and 2016 included some of the country’s first commercial and industrial (C & I) solar rooftop systems, with projects for CW Home Depot, ARC Refreshments Corporation and Shopwise.
In the following years, UGEP continued to increase its portfolio of C & I solar projects, through an innovative solar leasing program, made possible by a successful partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines who was a game-changer catalyst in funding UGEP’s rooftop solar projects in the early years.
During the challenging years of the pandemic, UGEP successfully continued to operate and maintain its existing projects, while also servicing new clients, including the construction of 4 rooftop solar projects for Robinsons Land Corporation in Visayas and Mindanao.
UGEP’s recent flagship project, a 13.8 MW rooftop solar facility at JG Summit Petrochemicals Group, built for Merbau Corporation, was successfully completed in 2023. This is the largest operational rooftop solar facility in the Philippines for own consumption.
In July 2023, UGEP entered into a joint venture with Aboitiz Power Distributed Renewables to leverage on their own strengths with the goal of dominating the rooftop solar for C & I projects in the Philippines.
The target goal is to grow our portfolio of utility scale renewable energy projects to 500 MW by 2030 and C&I rooftop solar of 100MW by 2028.
In 2023, UGEP secured its first Solar Energy Operating Contract with the Department of Energy to develop a 50 MW utility-scale solar project in Zambales and many more projects of the same scale are in the final stage of negotiation.
Our Team
Ruth Yu-Owen
President and CEO
Ruth is a 20-year veteran in the field of renewable energies: from wind, hydro, to solar. A leader in the energy industry, she is the Chairperson of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and the Vice President for Internal Affairs of the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2).
Ruth is also the Co-Founder of Connected Women, a social impact technology startup that provides upskilling and livelihood opportunities to Filipinas.
Rufino "Bumi" Bomasang
Chairman of the Board
In the last 50+ years, Bumi has served the Philippine minerals and energy sector as an engineer, manager, and secretary of the Department of Energy. He has explored and developed indigenous energy sources that reduced our country’s dependence in imported energy.
Jocelyn Anivado
Chief Financial Officer
Jocelyn has over 35 years of experience in Accounting and Corporate Finance. She simultaneously serves as the CFO of UGEP Solar 1, a subsidiary that handles leasing and power purchase agreements for UGEP.
Pieterjan Vanbuggenhout
Chief Operations Officer
For the past 15 years, Pieterjan has specialized in the development, financing, engineering, procurement, and construction of solar projects in Southeast Asia and the world. On top of this, he worked as an investment manager for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Europe and Asia. He is also the founder and director of Atum Energy, a company providing solar and battery storage solutions in Cambodia.
Mic Yaxley
Governance, ESG, and Ethics and Compliance Adviser
Mic has extensive worldwide experience in more than 35 countries on 4 continents, including a 17-year stint in the Philippines. He was the Southeast and North Asia Regional Director for a major infrastructure development company. As the Asia-Pacific and Europe Ethics and Compliance Director, he brings a wealth of experience in the governance of infrastructure companies.
Our ESG Framework
UGEP is committed to a sustainable future through our renewable energy operations. Our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy is based on the triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Profit as we actively seek to generate economic, environmental, and social value for our company, our stakeholders, and our society.
UGEP will uphold these principles as we work toward a more sustainable future.
OUR ESG FRAMEWORK
Environment
Develop renewable projects that minimize carbon emissions.
Implement energy-efficient technologies and sustainable design practices.
Monitor and manage our environmental impact.
OUR ESG FRAMEWORK
Society
Prioritize safety and health for our employees and the public.
Cultivate an inclusive work environment that values diversity and equity.
Engage with local communities and promote job creation.
OUR ESG FRAMEWORK
Governance
Uphold ethical behavior, transparency, and compliance with laws.
Maintain an independent and diverse board for effective oversight.
Foster a culture of accountability and ethical decision-making.
Listen to employees, customers, investors, and communities to inform our decisions.
Communicate openly and transparently about our ESG progress.
ETHICS AND BUSINESS CONDUCT
UGEP’s foundation is built upon the highest ethical standards. We always act with integrity – taking responsibility for our work, caring for our employees, and staying focused on safety and sustainability.
We treat every individual with respect and fairness, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Our commitment to ethical excellence guides us in making responsible choices that not only benefit our business but also contribute positively to the community and the world at large.
All of UGEP — from chairman to management to team members — is expected to read and commit to UGEP’s Ethics and Business Conduct Principles [link to the full Ethics and Business Conduct Principles Policy Paper]. We also expect our suppliers and other partners that we work with to behave in ways that reflect our principles.
Connect with us
Empower your future
Address
Unit 318B, LRI Design Plaza
210 Nicanor Garcia, Makati
1209 Metro Manila
Telephones
+63 (2) 8851 7660
+63 (2) 8403 6389
All rights reserved © Upgrade Energy Philippines, 2023 • Created by Creative Coconut Ph
All rights reserved © UGEP Energy, 2023
Created by Creative Coconut Ph