A TOTAL of almost 21 megawatts (MW) reduction in power consumption was noted by three electric cooperatives in Negros Occidental during this year’s Earth Hour on Saturday.
Public and private stakeholders in the province joined the one-hour switch off starting 8:30 p.m.
The annual activity, which started in Australia in 2007, is part of the global movement initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that demonstrates support for protecting the planet and stopping climate change.
The Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), catering to the largest number of consumers in the province, noted the biggest reduction in power consumption of 8.6 MW.
The cooperative serves consumers in cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay, and towns of Murcia and Salvador Benedicto.
Sulpicio Lagarde Jr., general manager of Ceneco, said the figure comprises about five percent of the cooperative’s current daily average demand of 160 MW.
Lagarde said an average barangay consumes 500 kilowatts per hour thus, the reduction within Earth Hour period is equivalent to at least 17 barangays or the entire power demand of Talisay City.
“The reduction measures the number of those who participated in the Earth Hour,” he said, noting that the drop in reduction compared to last year’s activity can be attributed to lack of awareness among the public.
In 2017’s Earth Hour, Ceneco noted a reduction in power demand of about 11 MW.
The general manager said the 13-hour power interruption on Saturday, from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. in some areas catered by the utility, can be another factor contributing to lower reduction this year.
“Possibly, some consumers affected by the long brownout during daytime opted not to participate anymore in the evening’s Earth Hour activity,” Lagarde explained.
Lagarde stressed that since Earth Hour is also about volunteerism, Ceneco did not put off any of its feeders during the one-hour switch off.
“We allow power to flow and let the people decide whether they will participate or not,” he said, adding that “in order to measure their level of awareness and spirit of volunteerism, you do not unilaterally decide to put off power connections.”
Following Ceneco in terms of power consumption reduction during Earth Hour is Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco), with 7.4 MW.
Noneco caters to consumers in the north portion of the province, from E.B. Magalona to San Carlos City.
Paulino Almedelia, corporate planning department manager of Noneco, said they temporarily shut down for one hour its feeder covering Cadiz City which resulted in a drop in consumption of about four megawatts.
In 2017, Noneco noted a reduction of only 3.2 MW.
Almedelia said the same feeder was shut down last year however, there are additional connected loads in this area thus, the drop is also higher this year.
“The remaining 3.4 MW are accounted for other areas we covered, which voluntarily joined the activity,” he added.
The Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco), meanwhile, reported a drop of 4.6 MW, which is higher than last year’s 2.9 MW.
Jonas Discaya, general manager of Noceco, said the reduction is actually an opportunity cost of the cooperative.
The higher reduction is attributed to more participation from the public, especially the local government units as most voluntarily turned off their respective street lights, he added.
Noceco caters to electric consumers from Pulupandan to Hinoba-an.
The WWF, in its website, said this year’s Earth Hour comes at a critical moment in the fight against climate change.
After the United States announced its intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, more than 2,600 leaders across America’s state houses, city halls, boardrooms, faith organizations, and college campuses stepped up to say they are still committed to meeting the climate goals, the organization said.
“We know that it will take action from everyone, from governments and businesses to communities and individuals, to urgently reduce the emissions that drive climate change and prepare for the inevitable impacts of a warming planet, some of which we’re already experiencing,” it added.
In Bacolod City, personnel of SM City Bacolod along with various groups and local government joined the Earth Hour event held at the mall’s north wing parking lot.
At least 300 participants, including students and non-government organization representatives, lighted the candles placed inside the 1,600 recycled cups assembled into a wifi signal symbol.
After which, they joined the countdown to the switch off activity which also lasted for an hour.
May Castro, public relations manager of SM City Bacolod, said this is the ninth Earth Hour hosted by all SM Supermalls in the country.
For this year, they also adopted the global theme “Connect to the Earth.”
Castro said about 80 percent of the mall’s lights, including the parking lot, signages and some tenants, were turned off resulting in a total saved energy of 3,450 kilowatts worth about P37,000.
“The wifi symbol is like a connection that is present among us. We are trying to spread the message especially to the younger generation to connect to the earth,” she said, adding that “energy conservation should be sustainable so it should not be just today but every day.”
Earlier that day, Earth Hour Negros Core Group conducted coastal clean-up at Barangay Pta. Taytay and Earth Hour Walk at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon, all in Bacolod City.
Moreover, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has ordered the switching off lights in all city government facilities including the New Government Center, public plaza, old city hall, old city engineer’s office, and city health office, among others.
Leonardia, in a memorandum, said all city government employees are likewise enjoined to observe Earth Hour in their respective homes by switching off their lights and appliances as their contribution in saving energy and fighting climate change.