The Department of Energy (DOE) is hoping to secure a USD 300-million loan package from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) this year to fund a rooftop solar and energy efficiency program for public schools and government hospitals.

Patrick T. Aquino, director of the DOE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau, said the loan facility is still awaiting approval from the Investment Coordination Committee under the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, according to BusinessWorld.

“Optimistically, (the program) can start by the fourth quarter of 2026. Realistically, 2027 already,” Aquino said.

Once approved, the program will run for five years and is expected to contribute to the country’s renewable energy targets under the National Renewable Energy Program.

The initiative will focus on installing rooftop solar systems and promoting energy-efficient appliances in government facilities such as schools and hospitals. Rooftop solar systems can help reduce electricity costs by generating power directly from sunlight.

According to an ADB project document, the first phase will cover around 100 buildings from 2026 to 2028, while the second phase will expand to about 300 buildings from 2028 to 2031.

The program also aims to accelerate the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), which requires government buildings to reduce their monthly energy consumption by at least 10%.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Administrative Order No. 15 in January 2024 to fast-track the implementation of the energy-saving program across government agencies.

The government has also been closely monitoring fuel and electricity use as part of broader energy security and conservation measures.

As electricity costs and fuel risks continue to rise, should more government facilities transition to rooftop solar and energy-efficient systems?

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