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 a 1,270kW Rooftop Solar Project across several entities of the province, which generate an estimated savings of P404,537,528 over 25 years.
As stated in the agreement, WeGen Energy Philippines Inc. will install solar panels with a total capacity of 1,270.50kWp on provincial government-run hospitals in the cities of Kabankalan and Himamaylan, the Provincial Capitol, Negros First Cyber Centre, Negros Residences, and the Food Terminal Market of Occidental Negros (FTMON).
The Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee, led by the Department of Energy, through Resolution No. 8, s. 2023, directs all government entities to source at least 20% of their energy requirements from renewable sources.
The Rooftop Solar Project is expected to supply at least 40 percent of the power requirements of the province, 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 signing was held at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City, in the presence of Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, Daniel Del Rosario, Jr., and Anthony Padasas of WeGen Energy Philippines Inc., Atty. Jessa Genteroles and Atty. Arman Davis Pehid of the Provincial Legal Office, PGNO Electrical Consultant Jalssen Dumancas, and PGNO Electrical Engineer Ann Janiloe Diamante.
The total renewable energy generated by the project in the province is enough to power approximately 5,318 homes for an entire year, according to the provincial government.
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.*
