SHELL Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) received the 2021 Europa Award for championing clean and efficient energy.

The 2021 Europa Award for Clean and Efficient Energy, awarded by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), recognizes the sustainability business leader who had best incorporated the use of clean and efficient energy practices in its day-today operations while at the same time supporting the government’s thrust to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2030 to help in climate change mitigation as stipulated in the Paris Agreement of 2016.

“This is another feather in our cap, and we extend our utmost gratitude to the ECCP for recognizing SPEX as a champion of sustainability in the Philippines,” said Rhea Abigail Navarro, SPEX engineering and projects manager, during the virtual awarding ceremony held recently.

“We remain committed to our vision of providing the Philippines clean and efficient energy sources that will help the planet, power the nation and empower our people,” Navarro added.

“The Europa awards exist to recognize Filipino companies with exceptional contributions to sustainability in line with the Philippine Development Plan and global standards. Sustainability requires a whole-of-society approach. We all must act now to protect the environment and to boost the green economy,” said Ambassador Luc Veron, head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines.

SPEX is the operator of the Malampaya Deepwater Gas-to-Power Project that signaled the birth of the Philippine natural gas industry.

The Malampaya gas facility harnessed indigenous natural gas to reduce oil imports, contribute to better air quality and generate significant revenues for the local government amounting to $12 billion or over P1 trillion.

Since October 2001, the Malampaya project continues to power up to 20 percent of the country’s electricity requirement.

It has also made Luzon’s air cleaner since natural gas emits 30 to 50 percent less air emissions compared to coal, fuel oil or diesel in electricity generation.

Sustainability efforts have greatly enhanced the social and environmental impact of Shell through Malampaya.

Aside from generating excellent shareholder value, Malampaya has also positively and significantly impacted many communities in the Philippines by staying true to its core values of empowering people and taking care of the environment. It has established and is conducting various conservation efforts through its social development arms, the Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., Malampaya Foundation Inc. and the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Inc.

“Sustainability has always been at the core of Shell. It is ingrained in our operations and business framework. We have always seen to it that sustainability is part of our planning process and not just something to do midway or as an afterthought,” Navarro said.

Shell said it has been championing sustainable energy through its Access to Energy (A2E) initiative, which helped bring power to communities in Northern Palawan including the Batak tribe, Sitio Binaluan in Taytay and El Nido.

It installed renewable energy systems through the use of local natural resources such as solar and hydro. A2E connected homes in far-flung villages to microgrids.

Before this, residents relied on candles to keep their homes lit. Today, 70 members of the community have been trained in solar lamp assembly and basic electrical installation; and 878 individuals now enjoy 24/7 power in five remote indigenous areas.

Aside from that, Malampaya mobilized over 1,500 Filipino workers to design, build and construct its second offshore platform in 2015.