Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson signed on Monday a power purchase agreement with WeGen Energy Philippines Inc., represented by its Vice President for Sales and Operations Orlando Alparce, for rooftop solar projects across several entities of the province, which will have an estimated savings of P404,537,528 in 25 years.
As stated in the agreement, WeGen Energy Philippines Inc. will install solar panels with a total capacity of 1,270.50 kilowatt peak (kWp) on provincial government-run hospitals in the cities of Kabankalan and Himamaylan, Provincial Capitol, Negros First Cyber Centre, Negros Residences, and Food Terminal Market of Occidental Negros.
The Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee, led by the Department of Energy through Resolution No. 8, series 2023, directs all government entities to source at least 20 percent of their energy requirements from renewable sources.
The province’s rooftop solar project is expected to supply at least 40 percent of its power requirements, with an estimated annual savings of P9,637,749 and an estimated annual energy yield of 1,690,833 kWh, a statement from the Negros Occidental provincial government said.
The total renewable energy generated by the project in the province is enough to power approximately 5,318 homes for an entire year, it added.
Additionally, the project has numerous positive environmental impacts, including avoiding 25,521 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over 25 years, the equivalent of planting 421,987 trees. It also offsets the use of approximately 2,506,947 gallons of diesel that would have been required to produce the same energy output and prevents the use of 28,348,799 pounds of coal.
The Provincial Government, together with multiple stakeholders, has launched SecuRE Negros, a roadmap for renewable energy development in the province.
By implementing rooftop solar projects across various provincial entities, the provincial government said it is leading by example and turning its commitments into action. ||
