The Pineapple Fiber Processing Facility, powered by solar, and located in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental is one of the six sustainable energy awardees, the Department of Energy said Dec. 15.
This Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) pilot project features a four-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system that powers a decorticating machine to produce high-quality, export-ready pineapple fiber, the DOE had said.
It boosts rural livelihoods by processing pineapple fibers for export-quality products, benefiting 125 farming households, it added.
Inaugurated in August 2021, the DOE said the facility is a timely intervention that will help far-flung communities recover from the effects of the pandemic.
“The productive use of renewable energy, or PURE project, was conceptualized as a supplemental project to the DOE’s rural RE electrification program. PURE was created to provide other sources of income for farmers through the use of renewable energy technologies, thus enhancing their capacity to pay for the monthly operation and maintenance expenses to sustain their household energy use,” the DOE had said.
Aside from this project, the DOE said other winners of its inaugural Sustainable Energy Awards on Dec. 12, are SM Prime Holdings, Acen Corporation, and the Iloilo provincial government, which received top honors for their outstanding contributions to renewable energy and sustainability.
The Sabang Renewable Energy Corporation, and the Mariano Marcos State University joined the Pineapple Fiber Processing Facility in receiving special recognition for their innovative efforts.
Chosen from 246 nominations, the awardees have advanced clean energy adoption, demonstrated leadership, and set benchmarks in sustainability advocacy. Their initiatives inspire broader adoption of renewable energy practices, driving the Philippines closer to its climate goals, the DOE said.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla commended the winners for their groundbreaking projects and leadership, emphasizing the DOE’s commitment to fostering innovation and environmental responsibility.
SM Prime Holdings received the award for its solar energy initiatives, particularly the 2.7MW solar carpark at SM Mall of Asia, which offsets 80,000 tons of CO2 over 30 years and highlights innovative space utilization and compliance with renewable energy policies.
The Iloilo provincial government was honored for its progressive renewable energy policies and initiatives, such as agrivoltaics and greenhouse gas reduction programs, reinforcing its vision of becoming an energy-sufficient and resilient province.
Acen Corporation was recognized for its 81MW North Luzon Renewables Wind Project, the Sabang Renewable Energy Corp. earned special recognition for its hybrid solar power plant in Palawan, while the MMSU was recognized for its innovative RE projects, including a Net Zero Energy Building and battery storage systems supporting rural electrification.
The Sustainable Energy Awards shows the vital role of both public and private sectors, as well as international partnerships, in achieving the Philippines’ sustainability and RE goals, and the DOE said it hopes to inspire more organizations to adopt sustainable energy practices for a more energy-resilient future. ||
