EDC rolls out solar power for Gaisano malls

Solar power station. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA — Publicly-listed Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and Gaisano Capital have inaugurated a 1.03-megawatt solar rooftop system in Iloilo City — the largest renewable energy facility of its kind in the province to date.

In a statement, EDC said the solar rooftop system, located on top of Gaisano’s mall in the city’s La Paz district, coud supply up to 50 percent of the establishment’s daytime load, resulting in significant savings in electricity cost for Gaisano Capital.

More importantly, the system — which sources power directly from the sun and does not require the use of fossil fuels or other harmful gases to operate — will eliminate 770 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

“The solar rooftop systems have come down in price and will continue to do so,” EDC president and COO Richard Tantoco said. “We will harness solar so we can provide cleaner and more affordable energy options to our customers. Both the customers and environment win so it’s a business we are committed to.”

“We are happy to see the completion of our largest solar rooftop project and provide added value to our La Paz customers,” Gaisano Capital Vice President for Operations Edmund Gaisano Jr. said. “We are one with EDC in promoting the use of and enhancing our operations with cleaner energy technologies. This is our own contribution to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.”

EDC and Gaisano Capital have finalized agreements for the installation of similar solar rooftop systems in the latter’s five other malls on Panay Island.

The project is EDC’s initial venture in the solar rooftop industry and the latest addition to the company’s clean energy portfolio which includes 1,169 MW of geothermal, 150 MW of wind, 132 MW of hydro and 7 MW of solar energy.

EDC is part of the Lopez Group of Companies, and is the largest producer of geothermal energy and one of the leading renewable energy companies in the country.  SFM