SM Offices Bets on Renewables to Power Growth and Attract Tenants

SM Offices, a business unit of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), is scaling up its renewable energy (RE) use as part of a broader push to make sustainability a driver of growth and tenant value.

The SM Prime business unit now sources more than half of its operational power from certified renewable energy, reflecting how clean energy adoption is reshaping the country’s commercial property landscape.

As of mid-2025, SM Prime has installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across 48 malls and offices with a combined capacity of 73 megawatts peak (MWp).

“SM Offices not only supports but also goes beyond the Philippine government’s target of having 50 percent of the country’s power generation come from renewable sources by 2040,” Vice President and Head of SM Offices Alexis L. Ortiga said.

Under the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) 2020–2040 of the Department of Energy, the Philippines aims to increase the share of renewables in its power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, supporting the country’s goals for energy security, sustainability, and climate resilience.

Across its expanding portfolio, SM Offices is integrating solar grids, sensor-enabled fixtures, and energy-efficient cooling systems into building design and operations—stabilizing energy costs, improving comfort and reliability, and enabling tenants to meet their sustainability commitments.

Several of its flagship developments—ThreeE-Com and FourE-Com Centers in the Mall of Asia Complex, Aura Tower beside SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City, Mega Tower in Ortigas, and North Towers in Quezon City—have all achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, underscoring its focus on performance and sustainability.

Currently, One E-Com, Two E-Com, and Five E-Com are undergoing LEED O+M certification, which recognizes excellence in the sustainable operation and maintenance of existing buildings. The certification focuses on energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality and other measures that promote the health and well-being of both people and the environment.

Ortiga explained that their approach is both strategic and adaptive. “SM Offices remains resilient by integrating sustainability initiatives into its core strategies,” he said. “Our offices are located closer to where people live, helping reduce travel time and emissions, and we are expanding renewable energy use and EV charging infrastructure to support a lower-carbon economy.”

The model is proving commercially sound. Renewable energy reduces exposure to power price volatility, supports tenant ESG goals, and strengthens investor confidence. For companies under increasing pressure to meet sustainability metrics, leasing from a renewable-powered portfolio offers both stability and reputational upside.

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