ILOILO – The provincial government seeks to expand the use of renewable energy, particularly solar energy, in government facilities.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the provincial government welcomes interested private partners, adding that solar, wind and mini-hydroelectric power facilities are the most viable for Iloilo.
The governor disclosed that a prospective private partner is checking the viability of solar energy in southern Iloilo. Still, he admitted it is in the medium term and would take time to materialize.
He is looking at introducing solar energy to more government facilities such as the provincial capitol, district hospitals, street lights, and water pumps, among others.
“We are investing in government facilities but sige ang exploration sang aton private sector partners and prospectors basi puede makapatindog solar [energy facility],” Defensor said.
So far, the Iloilo Provincial Hospital (IPH) in Barangay Rumbang, Pototan is the only government facility in the province using solar energy.
This enabled the provincial government to save, but as to how much is yet to be determined by the hospital management.
The IPH is the first hospital in the country to avail itself of the solar energization project under the Development for Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability (DREAMS) Project of the Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
DOE-UNDP-GEF allotted P5 million for the project, while the Iloilo provincial government allotted a counterpart fund of P1.8 million.
It is expected to produce 75 kilowatts (KW) of installed renewable energy generation capacity for the use of IPH.
During its launch in April 2022, IPH chief Dr. Albert Cordero said the project will provide dependable, uninterrupted power supply to IPH critical areas such as the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Room and Delivery Room Complex, and the IPH Molecular Laboratory.
He added that with the project, IPH could also generate savings of P1.3 million to P1.5 million annually.
The installation of solar energy at the Aleosan District Hospital in Alimodian is also ongoing.
“But not only hospitals; basi may iban pa nga government facilities nga butangan, tan-awon ang investment, and pila ang savings,” Defensor said.
The provincial government allotted P30 million to promote renewable energy in government facilities, which could increase next year.
The funding came after the Renewable Energy Ordinance of 2022 (I-PORE 2022) — the first in the country.
The provincial ordinance is anchored on Republic Act No. 9513, the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, and the United Nations Sustainable Goals ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.
It mandates the establishment of infrastructure and mechanisms for renewable energy; encourages barangays, municipalities, and cities to identify and allocate possible sites for renewable energy investments; and provides incentives according to the Provincial Investment Code.
To ensure proper implementation of I-PORE 2020, Defensor issued an order creating an executive committee on renewable energy relative to the programs and projects, which the governor himself chairs./PN
