City of Dreams Manila officially launched its P76 million solar panel installation, making it the first integrated resort in the Philippines to use solar energy.
This was done through a partnership with the Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) solar energy solutions provider Spectrum.
The 3,120 Solar PV panels on the resort’s parking building have a guaranteed generation capacity of almost 2,000 megawatt per hour (MWh), which equates to the average annual electricity consumption of around 7,000 typical households.
“This venture is a significant step in our vision to be sustainable in our operations, Utilizing clean and renewable energy is only one of our numerous green initiatives and we hope that as we set the bar for sustainable operations, we also inspire positive change as we all take part in the growing movement towards a more sustainable future,” City of Dreams Manila Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Benning said.
“Meralco shares City of Dreams’ commitment to a sustainable future, and we are pleased that through our renewable subsidiary, Spectrum, we will be collaborating to safeguard our environment, reduce carbon footprint and make energy efficiency an integral part of their operations. As an enabler of technologies and intelligent power use, Meralco invites other stakeholders in the leisure and entertainment industry to follow the example of City of Dreams,” Spectrum President and Meralco First Vice President and Head of Customer Retail Services and Corporate Communications Victor S. Genuino said.
Further expansion of this project is still being evaluated and reviewed, according to Benning.
When asked why Benning opted to be partners with Meralco, he answered: “We chose Meralco because they’re the best in the Philippines. If we’re gonna do this, we want to do it right and we want to have a partner that can get it done. As I’ve said in my speech, we’ve signed this contract eight months ago and it’s already fully-implemented.”
Under its long-term “Sustainable Dreams” program, City of Dreams has also included a vermicomposting facility and greenhouse nursery on property, and a sustainable coffee program with local coffee farmers as partners through the Philippine Coffee Board Inc.