BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) is now powered by solar energy following the ceremonial switch-on of its solar power system on Wednesday, December 18.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who led the ceremony, said that with the new solar power system with a capacity of 400 kilowatts (KW), the city can save about 50 percent from its monthly electricity bill.
The city government is paying about P2 million to P3 million for its monthly bill, and it is now expecting to save almost P1.5 million per month.
Mayor Benitez said the city government allocated more than P20 million to install the solar power system at the BCGC.
The switch-on ceremony was graced by Frederic Tesfay, project head of the Urban Act and Renewable Energy Projects in the Philippines for GIZ, the main German development agency.
“With this initiative, you are not just switching on lights – Bacolod is switching on opportunity, progress and independence for the people of this city,” said Tesfay.
This project, he said, is proof that Bacolod leads the way in innovation while other cities hesitate.
“Bacolod has taken bold steps forward. Solar energy currently contributes only a portion of the energy mix. 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,” Tesfay added.
Under its solar power program, the city government is eyeing to harness a total capacity of 1,340 KW in solar power to also energize other public buildings in several villages./PN
