Energy-efficient lighting to be installed in 35 main offices

Business World Online

Posted on 09:47 PM, October 05, 2010

ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING system will be installed in main offices of 35 agencies as part of the government’s clean energy project.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras said in a press conference yesterday that the initiative will incur annual savings of P22.4 million.

The project will cut consumption by 400 megawatts, according to Department of Energy estimates.

"These [lighting] will be in energy-efficient ballasts for fluorescent lights and bulbs. We... have to do our part in promoting sustainable consumption of power," he said.

Retrofitting will cost around P124 million, Mr. Almendras said, and will be funded by the Asian Development Bank ($31 million), Association of Southeast Asian Nations clean energy fund ($1.5 million) and the government.

Mr. Almendras said the project will be bid out by the Finance department, but he did not specify a date.

"The next step would be to make cooling equipment more energy-efficient but we’re hoping to finish energy efficiency ratings for appliances first," he said.

Covered by the project are departments of Agrarian Reform, Agriculture, Budget and Management, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Finance, Health, Justice, Labor and Employment, Public Works and Highways, Science and Technology, Social Welfare and Development, Tourism, and Trade and Industry.

Also included are Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, Environmental Management Bureau, Land Transportation Office, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, National Center for Mental Health, National Dairy Authority, National Economic and Development Authority, National Electrification Administration, National Food Authority, National Housing Authority and National Irrigation Administration.

Rounding up the list are National Printing Office, National Telecommunications Commission, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Philippine Trade Training Center, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. -- E. N. J. David