The provincial government of Negros Occidental has unveiled a renewable energy scheme to leverage solar power to operate seven of its primary buildings and substantially reduce electricity expenses.
According to provincial governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, the solarization plan features a 1,270-kilowatt solar power system that is expected to generate monthly savings ranging from 132,080 to 158,000 kilowatt-hours. This translates to a monthly cost reduction of Php 1.5 million to Php 1.8 million.
Aside from savings, this project should help the provincial government power through Negros Island’s current bout with power shortages and persistent brownouts.
The buildings set to benefit from this solar power initiative include the provincial capitol, Capitol South Building, Negros First CyberCentre, Negros Residences, the Food Terminal Market in Bacolod City, the Rice Processing Center in Bago City, and an adjoining structure.
Currently, the power requirements for all government facilities in the province are met by the Central Negros Electric Cooperative.
The governor says the bidding process for the installation of the solar panels on these seven buildings will be scheduled soon.
#RRAAASEON2030
This green energy project aligns with the provincial government’s goal of promoting sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint by the year 2030 via its SecuRE Negros Campaign and its official hashtag #RRAAASEON2030, which stands for Reliable, Renewable, Available, Accessible, Affordable, and Sustainable Energy for Occidental Negros.
Addressing the Provincial Stakeholders’ Consultative Power Summit on May 3, the governor emphasized the importance of securing reliable energy for the province. The inputs gathered from the summit will contribute to the Negros Occidental Energy Development Road Map to 2030.
“We want to ensure energy security for our province in ways that are not harmful to our people and our environment,” he said.
Joining the summit were Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, and former Governor Rafael Coscolluela, the provincial consultant on energy and environmental matters.