SM Prime Expands Solar Energy Footprint

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, expanded its solar energy footprint in 2024, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing carbon emissions across its properties.

Most SM Supermalls participate in the ILP, contributing 110MW of power during each activation. I Photo: SM Malls

The company generated 27.6 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy, a 49% increase from the previous year.

The continued rollout of solar panels across SM malls and developments has further reduced reliance on conventional power sources, cutting carbon emissions by 19,140.6 metric tons of CO₂—equivalent to removing more than 4,100 cars from the road annually.

This expansion aligns with SM Prime’s broader sustainability strategy, integrating renewable energy solutions to lower costs and minimize environmental impact.

In 2014, SM North EDSA became the first commercial property in the Philippines to install rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, marking the largest installation in Southeast Asia at the time.

Currently, SM Prime operates 47 malls and properties with solar installations, totaling 63 megawatts (MW) of capacity. In 2025, it plans to add 20 rooftop solar PV projects, further optimizing power consumption and strengthening resilience against fluctuating energy costs.

"Expanding our use of solar energy enhances the sustainability of our developments. This initiative also enables us to support the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) of the Department of Energy (DOE)," said SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim.

As summer increases electricity demand, the ILP helps stabilize the grid by allowing distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to request large power consumers to use their own generator sets and power sources.

Participants include malls, large businesses, and factories with significant standby capacity, ensuring a stable power supply when demand exceeds available resources.

Most SM Supermalls participate in the ILP, contributing 110MW of power during each activation. SM Prime leads the private sector in ILP contributions, with SM Mall of Asia providing the highest committed capacity at 15.92MW.

Through these and other sustainability initiatives, SM Prime reinforces its leadership in sustainable property development, furthering its commitment to integrating green energy solutions across its portfolio.