Aboitiz water unit cuts CO2 emissions

MANILA -Aboitiz InfraCapital’s water business unit in Batangas province has so far slashed its annual carbon dioxide emissions by 100 tons due mainly to its solar panel project in a sewage treatment plant.

According to Lima Water Corp., the solar panel project has been generating around 400 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy since its completion in April.

“Our solar project is a significant step toward addressing the pressing issue of carbon emissions to ensure a sustainable future for the next generations to come,” said Hazele Manalo, Lima Water general manager.

Lima Water, which provides water and wastewater treatment services in Lima Estate, Lipa-Malvar, installed 99.9-kilowatt solar panels in its sewage treatment plant 2.

The project is expected to “significantly reduce” the company’s energy costs, with an estimated total power generation of 146 megawatt-hours annually. Lima Water did not disclose its current energy costs.

The total 100-ton yearly carbon emission reduction is equivalent to planting over 3,500 trees, the company said.

Solar panel project

Aboitiz InfraCapital head of water business Eduardo Aboitiz also noted that the solar panel project was part of the company’s commitment to “make use of our natural resources responsibly.”

Aboitiz InfraCapital is the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz group. Its business units include Lima Estate in Batangas and Apo Agua Infrastructure Inc. in Davao.

Lima Water likewise said it was “actively considering” transitioning one of its major facilities under the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP).

GEOP allows power end-users to choose clean energy technologies as their source of electricity. INQ