The 25-year solar agreement will deliver energy savings, energy stability, and cleaner operations for Lemon Square maker Big E, at zero capital cost
Via GRAPHIC PLUS | Manila, Philippines – Big E Food Corporation, in partnership with Berde Renewables, has energized its 1.685 MWp solar rooftop system at its food manufacturing plant in Bulacan, with early deployment already delivering measurable gains. Big E, one of the Philippines’ leading Filipino-owned food companies, is the maker of the beloved Lemon Square brand.
Under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement using a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer model, Berde Renewables finances, develops, installs, and operates the rooftop solar system over the contract period. This enables Big E to adopt clean energy with no upfront capital expenditure, secure reliable and cost-efficient power, and stay focused on its core business.
As Big E scales production to meet nationwide demand, energy remains a key cost driver for the company. By shifting to solar amid continued energy volatility, the company reduces and stabilizes its power costs, insulating operations from rising electricity prices.
“Big E has been a cornerstone Filipino brand for decades. Partnering with them to power Lemon Square’s production with clean energy is exactly the kind of impact Berde was built for helping Philippine manufacturers cut costs and decarbonize without spending a single peso upfront,” said Morris Zhou, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Berde Renewables.
From a neighborhood bakery to a household name, Big E continues to evolve by integrating sustainability into its operations. The solar installation is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 1,166 tons annually—equivalent to planting around 53,000 trees each year—aligning operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.
“Our focus has always been to deliver products that Filipinos love—products that are part of everyday life. By investing in solar energy with Berde Renewables, we lower energy costs but also move towards sustainability and doing good for the planet and its future,” said Ernesto “Errol” S. Vergel de Dios, Big E Chairman and Founder.
The Big E and Berde Renewables teams after the formal energization event led by Enrique Jose Vergel de Dios, Executive Director of Big E and Patrick Zhu, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Berde Renewables.
Scaling solar across the Philippines and beyond
Big E joins a growing number of companies taking control of their energy future. Berde Renewables enables this shift through long-term solar agreements, removing upfront cost barriers while delivering immediate savings and predictable energy costs.
Berde Renewables is a leading renewable energy company in the Philippines, backed by global infrastructure investor I Squared Capital. Focused on solar and other clean energy technologies, Berde partners with businesses, electric cooperatives, developers, and landowners to accelerate the transition to sustainable power. Its behind-the-meter solar platform spans Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with a growing presence in Thailand.
The company has 127.53 MW of closed projects undersigned Power Purchase Agreements, with 36.93 MW already built and energized, and 63.06 MW under construction. A further 27.54 MW is set to move into the next phase, alongside a 200 MW development pipeline across the Philippines and Thailand. Berde was recognized as Solar Company of the Year: Developer at Solar Quarter PH 2025.
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