Bacolod City lauded for taking ‘bold steps’ to utilize solar power 

Posted by siteadmin
December 21, 2024
Posted in TOP STORIES
The Bacolod City government allocated more than P20 million to install a solar power system at the Government Center. (Bacolod PIO photo)
The Bacolod City government allocated more than P20 million to install a solar power system at the Government Center. (Bacolod PIO photo)

The move of Bacolod City to harness solar power to energize the Government Center and other public structures is a “monumental step towards Bacolod’s energy future.”

This was stated by Frederic Tesfay, who leads the Urban Act and Renewable Energy Projects in the Philippines for GIZ, the main German development agency, during the switch-on of a 400-kilowatt (kW) solar power system at the Bacolod City Government Center led by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Wednesday afternoon, December 18.

“Today marks a significant milestone as the switch-on for the solar energy of government buildings happens. With this initiative, you are not just switching on lights — Bacolod is switching on opportunity, progress and independence for the people of this city,” he added.

Tesfay said that “while other cities hesitate, Bacolod has taken bold steps forward.”

“This project is proof that Bacolod leads the way in innovation. The revolution has now started, and this project is a strong foundation for growth. Imagine, as more people and organizations invest in renewable energy, costs can be reduced and together can create an energy source and sustainable future to drive industrial development and economic growth,” he said.

Benitez said the city government allocated more than P20 million to install the solar power system at the Government Center.

“We bought the whole system, and we’re the one using it,” the mayor said.

He added that by utilizing solar power for government buildings, the city government is expected to reduce its electricity costs by about 50 percent.

“We are projecting at least 50 percent. The electricity bills at the Government Center amount to P2 to P3 million, so we’re expecting about P1.5 million savings per month,” Benitez said.

Under its solar power program, the city government is eyeing harnessing a total capacity of 1,340 kW of solar power to energize not only the Government Center, but also other public buildings in several villages.

The list of projects showed the areas and solar power capacity as follows: Barangay Taculing — 150-kW, City Disaster Reduction and Management Office and the village gym; Barangay Sum-ag — 140-kW, barangay hall and public market; Barangay Vista Alegre — 120-kW, evacuation center and youth home; Barangay Granada — 80-kW, public market; and Barangay Villamonte — 50-kW, gymnasium.

Other identified villages will be provided a solar power facility with a capacity of 40-kW each, including Barangay 16, which will be installed at Rizal Elementary School, along with Alijis, Singcang-Airport, Tangub, Estefania, Pahanocoy, Handumanan, Punta Taytay, Cabug, and Felisa. (PNA)

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