The Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol is on track to switch to clean energy by the end of August, a move expected to reduce its electricity costs by a significant 40%.
The transition is made possible by the installation of solar panels on the building’s roof, a project that comes at no cost to the provincial government.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said that the solar panels will supply the Capitol with power at a fixed rate of ₱6.90 per kilowatt-hour for the next 15 years.
This rate is a substantial saving compared to the current ₱11.50 per kilowatt-hour charged by Negros Electric and Power Corp., he said.
The project is a Public-Private Partnership with WeGen Energy Philippines Inc., which is covering the installation costs and will sell the generated power to the province.
The agreement for the 1,270kW rooftop solar project was signed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on April 28 and includes six provincial government buildings.
Diaz said the solar panel installations will expand to other government properties in Bacolod City, including the Food Terminal Market Occidental Negros, the Negros First Cyber Centre, and Negros Residences.
The project will also be implemented at provincial government-owned hospitals.
