Bacolod City: The Negros Occidental provincial government has embarked on a significant step towards renewable energy by entering into a PHP158.28-million power purchase agreement with WeGen Energy Philippines Inc. This agreement aims at installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across six government buildings, marking a substantial investment in sustainable infrastructure.
According to Philippines News Agency, WeGen Energy Philippines Inc. will be responsible for installing a total solar capacity of 1,270.5 kilowatt peak (kWp) in the designated structures. The contract, signed by Vice President for Sales and Operations Orlando Alparce Jr. and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol, outlines the installation sites, including the Negros First Cyber Centre with a capacity of 588.5 kWp, the Provincial Capitol at 140.8 kWp, the Food Terminal Market at 99 kWp, and the Negros First Hostel at 68.2 kWp, all located in Bacolod City. Additional sites include the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City with 220 kWp and the Valeriano Gatuslao District Hospital in Himamaylan City with 154 kWp.
The agreement stipulates that WeGen shall complete the installation within 90 days of receiving the contract, which will be active for 25 years. After this period, ownership of the system will be transferred to the provincial government at no extra cost. Data from the provincial government indicate that the solar PV system will supply at least 40 percent of the government buildings' power requirements, generating an estimated savings of PHP9.637 million annually, amounting to PHP404.537 million over 25 years.
In a statement, the provincial government emphasized its commitment to renewable energy, highlighting the initiative as part of the province's SecuRE Negros roadmap for renewable energy development. By implementing rooftop solar projects, the provincial government is demonstrating leadership and action in reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Furthermore, the project aligns with the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee's directive, led by the Department of Energy, which requires government entities to source at least 20 percent of their energy needs from renewable sources, as per Resolution No. 8, series of 2023.
The environmental benefits of the solar PV system project are considerable, including the prevention of 25,521 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over 25 years. This reduction is akin to planting 421,987 trees and offsets the use of approximately 2.506 million gallons of diesel and 28.348 million pounds of coal that would otherwise be necessary to produce the same energy output.
