7 gov’t buildings in Negros Occ. to tap solar power

BACOLOD CITY—The Negros Occidental provincial government will embark on a renewable energy project that will use solar energy to power seven of its main buildings and cut electricity costs.

The installation of 1,270 kilowatts of solar power system will save an estimated 132,080 to 158,000 kilowatt-hours per month, which will translate to P1.5 million to P1.8 million in monthly savings, said Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.

Among those that will use solar power are the provincial capitol, Capitol South Building, Negros First CyberCentre, Negros Residences and the Food Terminal Market of Negros Occidental in Bacolod City; and the Rice Processing Center in Bago City and an adjoining building.

The power needs of all government structures in the province are currently serviced by the Central Negros Electric Cooperative.

2030 goal

Lacson said the bidding for the installation of the solar panels on the seven buildings will be set soon, with the winning bidder only collecting the monthly payment for the power that the buildings will consume.

The province has been eyeing to complete by 2030 its bid for a “Reliable, Renewable, Available, Accessible, Affordable, and Sustainable Energy for Occidental Negros,” with Lacson urging residents to join the local government in this effort during his keynote address at the Provincial Stakeholders’ Consultative Power Summit here on May 3.

The inputs from the summit will help shape the Negros Occidental Energy Development Road Map to 2030, as the province currently deals with power shortages and persistent brownouts, he added.

“We want to ensure energy security for our province in ways that are not harmful to our people and our environment,” he said.

Also present at the summit were Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, provincial consultant on energy and environment concerns. — INQ