by Erwin Nicavera/PNA
The three electric cooperatives in Negros Occidental reported a 21-megawatt (MW) reduction in power consumption during the 2019 Earth Hour on Saturday night.
Both public and private power stakeholders joined the switch-off between 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., in support of the global activity initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to demonstrate support in protecting the planet and stopping climate change.
Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), which covers consumers in cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay, and towns of Murcia and Salvador Benedicto, posted the biggest reduction in power use of 12.83 MW.
Roel Venus, chief of Ceneco Consumer Services Division, said the demand reading conducted an hour before the switch-off was 115.81 MW, and by 9:30 p.m., the demand in all subs-tations dropped to 102.98 MW.
This resulted in almost 13 MW saved energy, he added.
“Households and commercial establishments participated in the Earth Hour by voluntarily switching off their lights,” Venus said.
He noted that the issue on energy conservation is a global concern, and business establishments are now rationally conserving power because they knew the significance of the worldwide cause for the environment.
The Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco), which serves consumers in the north, from E.B. Magalona to San Carlos City, recorded a power use reduction of about 4 MW.
Noneco corporate planning manager said Noneco shut down its Cadiz City feeder during the Earth Hour, which caused a total blackout in the city proper and nearby areas.
“Energy conservation is necessary to minimize the generation of additional power supply,” he added.
In the south, the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco), which caters to electric consumers from Pulupandan to Hinoba-an, registered a reduction of 3.7 MW.
Engineer Japheth Mapa, transmission and distribution manager of Noceco, said they were still able to reduce power demand despite the festivities held in most part of southern Negros over the weekend.
“Local government units, like Kabankalan City, joined by turning off their street lights,” he said.
In Bacolod, the SM City Bacolod, along with various groups and the city government, hosted the Earth Hour event held at the mall’s parking lot.
With the theme “Connect to the Earth,” at least 500 participants convened and took part in the ceremonial lights-off, listened to environment and energy saving talks, and shared their pledges.
May Castro, public relations manager of SM City Bacolod, said most of the lights at the mall were switched off.
This resulted in an hour of energy savings equivalent to 3,446 kilowatt hour amounting to PHP42,490, she said.
This year’s Earth Hour centerpiece, an SM annual tradition, was a giant Negros Island map formed using 1,500 recycled paper cups from the mall’s food court illuminated by LED candle-shaped lights.
“It represents the two Negros provinces’ milestones in environmental matters, including the continuous coastal cleanups, promoting renewable energy sources, taking a stand on plastic waste, and monumental ban on coal-fired power plants,” Castro said.
Councilor Cindy Rojas, chair of Bacolod City Council committee on environment, said the event is more than a switch-off ceremony since it focuses on awareness on how climate change and biodiversity loss threaten the planet.
“We want to channel the momentum and energy of the Earth Hour to connect people to Earth. Earth Hour is about positive impact we can create as individuals and as a collective to build a green and sustainable future,” she added.
Engineer Ratty Calvo of the Earth Hour Core Group said participation in the Earth Hour symbolizes the commitment to change beyond the hour as shown in the symbol 60+.
“Earth Hour Negros, Philippine started in 2009 and we are now celebrating a decade of celebrations…The last decade of Earth Hour has contributed much to the global climate agenda and has paved the way for many conservation wins,” he added.
