Imagine a community, powered by the sun, the purest form of energy, an eternal promise of sustainability and hope. No longer bound by the limits and harmfulness of fossil fuels, this community functions via clean energy, easily dependable as the sun itself, certain to rise every morning.
Well, imagine no more because this has become a reality at the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport, which now harnesses power from the sun, marking a significant milestone in the region and in the country. It stands proudly as the first solar-powered special economic zone in Mindanao.
State-Of-The-Art System
Chairman and Administrator of Zambo Ecozone, Raul M. Regondola, emphasizes their commitment to sustainable energy solutions, stating, “It is one of our mandates to come up with a project that will sustain our electricity (supply) by way of renewables.” He underscores the benefits, saying, “It is beneficial to us to have this type of solar project because it will lessen our cost of electricity.”
Zambo Ecozone boasts of a state-of-the-art grid-tied solar rooftop system, installed by Greenergy Solar, Mindanao’s premier commercial solar service provider. Originally contracted for 60 kilowatts, the system now boasts 113 solar panels, each generating 540 watts. Project manager Engineer Remuel Aca-ac highlights the surplus capacity, enabling the system to exceed the contracted capacity at peak generation.
Andrew Donggay, Chief of Operations at Greenergy Solar, commends Zamboanga ecozone’s leadership in embracing clean energy. “We are always eager to support government agencies and institutions who are going green by way of their electricity supply,” he said.
“The management of the Zamboanga ecozone is taking great leadership in clean energy not only in Mindanao but the entire Philippines and they must be emulated,” Donggay added.
A New Standard Of Sustainability
On the occasion of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, the Zambo Eco-Zone sets a precedent for local government offices across municipalities. By transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar power, they champion a cleaner, healthier environment free from pollution. This shift not only purifies the air but also fosters energy independence, aligning with climate action and sustainable development goals.
The move towards solar energy also yields economic benefits, with reduced electricity costs passed on to locators within the Ecozone. Engr. Aca-ac underscores the high return on investment, noting that the payback time is only about five years.
Looking ahead, Regondola envisions broader adoption of solar energy among ecozones and similar stakeholders. “I am recommending (solar) to other ecozones and similar stakeholders,” he declares, highlighting the long-term benefits and sustainability of renewable energy initiatives.
Source: The sun shines extra on Zamboanga: Ecozone is now solar-powered
