Foremost and Coca-Cola announce substantial completion of solar PV system

117-kilowatt (kW) DC solar photovoltaic (PV) system to replace around 15% of current Foremost and Coca-Cola monthly power consumption with renewable energy

(BARRIGADA HEIGHTS, Guam, Sept. 19, 2023)—Foremost Foods, Inc. (Foremost), Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Guam), Inc. (Coca-Cola), the leading non-alcoholic beverage companies on Guam and in Micronesia, and IP&E Holdings, LLC., a local energy company that has been supplying the islands for over 30 years, achieved substantial completion of the beverage companies’ rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system today.

The project reached the milestone seven months after the parties signed on Feb. 13 a 20-year solar power purchase agreement (PPA) for a 117kW DC / 96kW AC rooftop solar PV system, whereby Foremost and Coca-Cola will purchase renewable energy generated from the solar PV system designed, installed, owned, and maintained by IP&E.

Achieving substantial completion of the solar PV system marks the successful partnership between both companies to complete the principal installation works of the grid-tied solar PV system in just 47 calendar days with zero lost time incident.  During the construction phase, 216 solar modules, module mounting systems, four three-phase string inverters, and related components were installed at the Foremost corporate headquarters and warehouse facility on Guam. Through close collaboration and teamwork, the project team overcame several challenges to reach this milestone, including postponing the start of construction due to super typhoon Mawar in May, accessing and working safely on the 30-foot metal roof, and pulling nearly 5,000 feet of cables from the roof down to the electrical room.

The solar PV system will now enter the testing and commissioning phase, which entails securing government agency approvals and interconnection. Once commissioned, the grid-tied rooftop solar PV system is expected to generate approximately 191 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually, enabling Coca-Cola and Foremost to replace between 12% and 15% of the beverage companies’ monthly power consumption with renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint by offsetting approximately 1,530 metric tons of carbon dioxide for the duration of the PPA.

Marcos W. Fong, CEO of Foremost and Coca-Cola, said, “We have studied the benefits of incorporating renewable solar energy into our critical infrastructure for years and are pleased to have found a partner in IP&E to help execute that plan. We will evaluate the impact of our shift to sustainable energy on our operations. The results will inform our future plans to expand sourcing additional capacity for clean energy in the communities where we do business.”

Brian Bamba, managing director of local energy company IP&E Holdings, said, “On behalf of everyone at IP&E and everyone involved in this project, we would like to thank Marcos Fong and his team at Foremost for their trust to deliver this commercial solar PV system.  IP&E is proud to partner with Foremost and Coca-Cola in this project, which manifests our mutual commitment to renewable energy solutions for our island and future. We would also like to recognize and thank our key stakeholders, the Department of Public Works and Guam Power Authority for their support and collaboration, especially in the aftermath of super typhoon Mawar.”

The leadership of Coca-Cola and Foremost, Citadel Pacific and IP&E holdings lead the switch-on ceremony to mark the substantial completion of the 117-kilowatt (kW) DC solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Foremost corporate headquarters in Barrigada Heights on Sept. 19, 2023. Pictured at the Foremost electrical room are (from left) Marcos W. Fong, CEO, Coca-Cola and Foremost; Jim Beighley, CEO, Pacific Islands, Citadel Pacific and chairman, IP&E Holdings; and Ferdinand Tan, chief operating officer Citadel Pacific at the milestone event seven months after the parties signed a power purchase agreement in February.

Foremost Foods, Inc. (Foremost), Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Guam), Inc. (Coca-Cola), the leading non-alcoholic beverage companies on Guam and in Micronesia, and IP&E Holdings, LLC., a local energy company that has been supplying the islands for over 30 years, marked the substantial completion of the beverage companies’ rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system with a switch-on ceremony at the Foremost corporate headquarters in Barrigada Heights on Sept. 19, 2023. Marcos W. Fong (fifth from right), CEO of Coca-Cola and Foremost; Jim Beighley (sixth from right), CEO, Pacific Islands, Citadel Pacific and Chairman, IP&E Holdings; and Ferdinand Tan (seventh from right), COO, Citadel Pacific led the ceremony attended by stakeholders from the beverage and power companies (from left): Kaimana Indalecio, apprentice, IP&E Holdings; Christopher Heras de Leon, senior director, renewable assets, IP&E Holdings; Rogelio Olesco, electrical engineer, IP&E Holdings; Joel Ollet, owner, EICS; Matthew Paynter, commercial analyst, IP&E Holdings; Zyryll Fellores, electrical engineer, IP&E Holdings; Andrew Araw, director, renewable assets, IP&E Holdings; Hunter Brock, procurement & logistics analyst, IP&E Holdings; Camille Denight (not in photo), marketing business partner, IP&E Holdings; Janice Castro, distribution and facilities manager, Coca-Cola and Foremost; Jose Fernandez, sales manager, Coca-Cola and Foremost; Sharleen Marchesseault, director or marketing strategy, Glimpses of Guam; and Roland Villaverde, IT manager, Coca-Cola and Foremost.

(BARRIGADA HEIGHTS, Guam, Oct. 22, 2021)—Five Foremost Blend Iced Coffee lovers will be treated to sumptuous meals at four of the finest restaurants on Guam for winning the recently concluded Foremost Blend “Food Trip” raffle promo.

Foremost Foods Sales Manager Jose Fernandez presented the winners with a total of $2,000 worth of gift certificates to Chili’s, Outback, Crab Daddy and Lone Star restaurants during the awards ceremony held at the Foremost Foods corporate offices.

Geraldine T. Siguenza, Khristine A. Herrera, and Arjay Arevalo, all of Dededo, Ariel Carig of Yigo, and Ulysses S. Story of Yona each brought home a total of $400 in restaurant certificates.

Every purchase of two cans of Foremost Blend Iced Coffee received an entry form to the raffle promo held exclusively at all Pay-Less Supermarket locations from Aug. 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2021.

Foremost Foods Sales Manager Jose Fernandez presents Foremost Blend “Food Trip” raffle promo winner and Dededo resident Geraldine T. Siguenza with $400 of restaurant gift certificates during the awards ceremony held at the Foremost corporate offices in Barrigada Heights.

Foremost Foods Sales Manager Jose Fernandez awards $400 in gift certificates to Khristine Herrera of Dededo during the awards ceremony for the Foremost Blend “Food Trip” raffle promo held at the Foremost corporate offices in Barrigada Heights.

Jose Fernandez, sales manager, Foremost Foods, Inc. awards $400 in restaurant gift certificates to Ariel Carig of Yigo during the prize presentation for the Foremost Blend “Food Trip” held at the Foremost offices in Barrigada Heights.

Foremost Foods Sales Manager Jose Fernandez presents $400 worth of restaurant gift certificates to Arjay Arevalo of Dededo during the prize awards ceremony for the Foremost Blend “Food Trip” raffle promo held at the Foremost corporate offices in Barrigada Heights.

Jose Fernandez, sales manager, Foremost Foods presents $400 in restaurant certificates to Ulysses S. Story of Yona during the prize awards ceremony for the Foremost Blend “Food Trip” raffle promo held at the Foremost offices in Barrigada Heights.

(BARRIGADA HEIGHTS, Guam)—Foremost Foods, Inc. has donated 500 cases of Foremost 1% Low-fat Milk to families in need on Guam. This latest donation is part of the company’s continuing commitment to support the island that it calls home.

Foremost Foods CEO Marcos W. Fong said, “We are introducing our new low-fat UHT milk and what better way is there to do so than to put it in the hands of many people who still need assistance getting back on their feet? Our company is committed to support our island before, during and after the pandemic. This is our community, and these are our neighbors. We are blessed to be in a position to help.”

The company has partnered with several nonprofit organizations on Guam to distribute 6,000 individual quarts of Foremost 1% low-fat UHT milk to over 5,000 families collectively served by the Catholic Social Service, Salvation Army, Senior Center Operation, Adult Daycare Program, Ministry to the Homeless, St. Dominic’s, and the Mayor’s Council of Guam.

Marcos W. Fong (center), CEO and Jose Fernandez (right), sales manager, both of Foremost Foods, Inc. turned over more than 1,400 quarts of Foremost 1% low-fat milk to over to CJ Urquico, public relations/development coordinator of Salvation Army during the product handover at the Foremost corporate facility in Barrigada Heights. Marcos W. Fong (center), CEO and Jose Fernandez (right), sales manager, both of Foremost Foods, Inc. turned over more than 1,400 quarts of Foremost 1% low-fat milk to over to CJ Urquico, public relations/development coordinator of Salvation Army during the product handover at the Foremost corporate facility in Barrigada Heights.

Marcos W. Fong (center), CEO and Jose Fernandez (right), sales manager, both of Foremost Foods, Inc. turned over more than 1,400 quarts of Foremost 1% low-fat milk to over to CJ Urquico, public relations/development coordinator of Salvation Army during the product handover at the Foremost corporate facility in Barrigada Heights.

The staff of the Adult Daycare Program under the Mayor’s Council of Guam received Foremost 1% UHT Milk for their clients from Foremost Foods CEO Marcos W. Fong (third left) and Foremost Foods Sales Manager Jose Fernandez (third right) during the product handover at the Foremost corporate facility in Barrigada Heights.

CEO Marcos W. Fong (second right) and Sales Manager Jose Fernandez (right), both of Foremost Foods join Senior Center Operation staff Connie Borja and Joey Charfauros for the handover of Foremost 1% low-fat UHT milk to the nonprofit under the Mayor’s Council of Guam at the Foremost corporate facility in Barrigada Heights.

CEO Marcos W. Fong (center) and Sales Manager Jose Fernandez (right), both of Foremost Foods present to Doris Camacho Royal, manager and coordinator of Ministry to the Homeless the milk pallets that include quantities allocated for the charitable institution providing meals and a soup kitchen to the homeless.

Foremost Foods CEO Marcos W. Fong (center) and Foremost Foods Sales Manager Jose “Joe” Fernandez (right) present to Mike Barcinas, staff at the Mayor’s office of the Municipality of Mongmong-Toto-Maite, the pallets of milk that include the allocation for the constituents in need in MTM.