BY JENNIFER C.
TILOS
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 6 (PIA) -- As part of the 35
Affiliated Renewable Energy Centers (AREC) in the country affiliated by the
Department of Energy (DOE), Silliman University (SU) can now contract with
solar energy company to supply solar power in the campus.
DOE Asst. Secretary Daniel Ariaso said SU is officially accredited
as an AREC for the next five years to empower them and promote partnership with
public and private sector without anymore securing an approval from the DOE.
The program is part of DOE’s mandate to develop indigenous energy
resources.
Ariaso cited that government give imperative to renewable energy
as clean energy sources must be fully tapped in response to the global call to
address climate change.
Right now, the OrionGroup International an international
solar power company has proposed to Silliman to install a 1.2 megawatts solar
energy project worth $2 million.
However, executive vice-president Rynor Jamandre of OrionGroup
said in an agreement Silliman does not have to cash out for the installation of
the solar power.
With 25 years warranty, Orion will install and maintain the solar
power system, said Jamandre.
It is said, Silliman, with more than 200 buildings would be the
biggest solar energized campus in Asia.
Using solar energy not only to reduce the cost of electric bill
but also protect the environment, “may save 20KW for a one student scholar and
for every 5KW used can provide one solar energized hinterland barangay,”
Jamandre cited.
Silliman University, through its Extension Program, is assisting
in the electrification program for far-flung barangays in the southern part of
Negros Oriental.
In cooperation with DOE and the Negros Oriental Electric
Cooperative, the university provides electric power to two hinterland
communities in the municipalities of Siaton and Santa Catalina.
These barangays have been certified to have no access to
electricity and are not covered under the grid extension plan of the electric
distribution utility in the next three years.
The energy department is pushing to increase the installation
target for solar energy from 50 to 500 megawatts and put RE on a more prominent
role in the country's energy mix. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
- See
more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1111435894111/doe-pushes-silliman-university-to-go-solar-energy#sthash.bWhjmxd7.dpuf