The power to make a difference - BusinessWorld Online

Ruth Yu-Owen, President and CEO of Upgrade Energy Philippines (UGEP), exemplifies resilience and visionary leadership in the renewable energy sector. Her journey began in Zamboanga City, where she sold candies as a young entrepreneur. Despite failing the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Exam, she pursued a career in sales, leading to senior positions in an international freight forwarding company. The loss of her job at its peak propelled her into the renewable energy industry, where she founded PhilCarbon in 2006. In 2016, Ruth partnered with Belgian company Upgrade Energy to establish UGEP, focusing on rooftop solar projects for the commercial and industrial segment. The company offers comprehensive services, including engineering, procurement, construction, operations, maintenance, and project financing for renewable energy projects. Under Ruth s leadership, UGEP completed the Philippines largest solar rooftop project for a major conglomerate in Batangas, with a capacity of 13,800 kilowatt-peak. Despite facing challenges, such as opposition to a wind farm project in Sagada and missed opportunities for government incentives, Ruth invested her personal savings to keep her business afloat and prioritized her team s welfare. Her commitment to integrity, continuous learning, and ethical standards is evident in her active participation in governance programs and various committees and boards. Ruth s influence extends to championing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, establishing new benchmarks for sustainability in the energy sector. UGEP s employment practices reflect a 50-50 gender balance and a commitment to employee well-being, mirroring Ruth s belief in diversity, inclusiveness, and social responsibility. Looking ahead, UGEP aims to achieve a growth target of 500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy utility scale and 200-MW of rooftop solar by 2028 under Ruth s leadership. She has earned recognition as one of the Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn and continues to serve as

Source: bworldonline.com
Published on 2024-09-30

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