By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY – The Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) has taken the first
step to utilize clean and renewable solar energy as an alternative source of
electricity in the city, amidst intermittent power outages that have been
persisting here for several years now.
The
university, in partnership with Buskowitz Development Incorporated (BDI) and
Energy Renewables Asia, Incorporated (ERA) forged a partnership Tuesday (March
10) that will realize a P12-million 120-kilowatt solar power project which will
provide electricity to UZ’s main campus in barangay Tetuan, seen to be
operational within the coming months.
UZ
president Atty. Linda Eustaquio-Lim believes that it is high time to consider
this alternative energy considering the current power situation in the city.
She
said that blackouts have been around for too long, even since her childhood. “I
remember studying by candlelight when I was young. Seven decades later, we still
continue to suffer.”
“We
have been far too timid and content to suffer blackouts that have plagued this
city. The time has come to focus on renewable energy as the only sensible
remedy,” said Atty. Eustaquio-Lim.
She
emphasized that the city’s level of development or the political stability here
should not be a hindrance to consider this more efficient power source.
Less
dependent on Zamcelco
As a
result of the solar power project, UZ is seen to be less dependent on the
limited power supply distributed by the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative
(Zamcelco).
Consequentially,
“the local power cooperative will then be able to use the energy it would have
normally use to supply UZ to increase its own load and supply someone else the
need of power,” a press statement read. “As a result, this will help the
cooperative lessen its power outages within its franchising areas.”
The
120-kWp, when realized, will produce about 200,000 kWh in a year. “Instead of
purchasing this power from the local distribution utility, the Solar PV system
can provide for UZ’s energy consumption during daylight hours,” the statement
furthered.
Clean
solar power highly feasible in PHL
BDI’s
Thomas Deeg explained that solar energy, as an alternative source of
electricity, is very feasible here and in other areas in the Philippines.
“Solar
energy is now being utilized widely in other countries like Germany,” Deeg
shares. He emphasized that Germany receives very little solar energy from the
sun compared to the Philippines, yet the latter has been successfully
harnessing the sun’s energy very efficiently. The Philippines’ geographical
location on the equator gives it more sunlight hence solar power is seen to be
more efficient here.
“It
has worked well in other countries. We don’t have snow (in the Philippines),
and we are closer to the equator,” Deeg emphasized.
“We
will use the knowledge from Germany’s solar power engineers and transfer it
here,” he added.
Deeg
believes that one of the reasons why solar energy remains untapped is that many
people have been closed-minded about it. “Many of us are saying, ‘we cannot do
that’, but this is just an excuse.”
“The
sun’s power is unlimited,” he exclaimed. “It is free, and 100% clean.”
Currently,
BDI and ERA already have solar power projects in the Monaco Suites in Boracay
and in John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University.
Talks
with Zamcelco to go solar
BDI
Chief Executive Officer James Buskowitz shared a few years back Zamcelco has
shown interest in solar energy however the project did not push through due to
some technicalities.
Buskowitz
is still optimistic that future talks will be more fruitful, and looks forward
for more exploratory talks with the local electric cooperative. “We are looking
to re-approaching them again,” he said.
Going
green
Initially,
this solar project will only energize the main UZ campus. However, Atty.
Eustaquio-Lim looks forward to growing the project to other UZ facilities.
“We
will not stop here,” she pointed out that. “Eventually, every building that
bears the UZ logo will have solar power.” She emphasized that with UZ’s
initiative, more will consider to use clean solar power.
Last
year, UZ was awarded by DENR and PIA as an “Eco-Friendly School” for its
numerous environmental protection and promotion projects. This solar project is
part of its efforts to help fight the effects of climate change.
