Baguio’s city government tapped into solar solar power technology to power three government buildings in its commitment to cut the city’s power expenses.
According to city building officer Engr. Nazita Banez, the technology will be piloted through the solar power lighting and heating of the Olympic-size swimming pool at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.
The project which costs P19 million is up for bidding and for implementation this October.
Other than the three government buildings, the City Hall Annex and City Hall itself is also being looked at for the use of solar power which will be pursued next year.
Studies done by the Department of Energy (DOE) found out that the technology is suitable in the city, Banez said.
“We expect to cut down energy consumption and the resulting electric bill of the swimming pool by 50 percent while the return of investment is protracted in 13-15 years,” Banez said.
Leticia Clemente, City Budget Officer, said the budget has been already sorted out for the first phase of the projects, which is in line with the city’s thrust to use renewable energy for economic and environmental benefits.
The city’s total payment to Benguet Electric Cooperative was P 71,149,742.23 for its power consumption three years ago. It can be reduced significantly with the utilization of these modern energy-saving technologies.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan has high hopes for the project with the benefits of solar power.
Domogan signed Ordinance No.43 series of 2018 adopting the use of energy conservation technologies and clean renewable energy in all of the city government facilities and projects.
Under the ordinance, government facilities such as office buildings, schools, hospitals, barangay halls, daycare centers, health centers, covered courts, streetlights, overpasses, parks, treatment plants, and others are required to use energy-saving technologies like the Light-Emitting Diode (LED) and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, and more.
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