Negros Occ hosts power summit, eyes renewable energy transition

By Dolly Yasa

Stakeholders across various sectors gather at the Sanctuario de La Salle today, May 3, 2024 for the groundbreaking Provincial Stakeholders’ Consultative Power Summit, a pivotal event in Negros Occidental’s commitment to sustainable energy development.

Organized in partnership with the University of St. La Salle, the summit marks a significant move by the Provincial Government to unite electricity consumers, power producers, utilities, policymakers, and community leaders under one roof to chart a future of renewable energy adoption.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson emphasized the strategic importance of the summit. “Together, we’ll explore innovative strategies, share insights, and discuss ways to pave the way for a power-secured future for all Negrenses,” he said.

This proactive approach stems from lessons learned from a power blackout in nearby Panay Island earlier this year, underscoring the urgency of energy security. “The roadmap is a strategy on how to have power security in our province,” Lacson added.

Highlighting its proactive stance, Negros Occidental is inviting investors to establish renewable energy plants, reinforcing its position as a potential leader in sustainable energy within the region. “The province is pushing for renewable energy,” Lacson noted.

Concurrently, the governor led the official launch of the SecuRE Negros campaign at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall. This initiative underscores the province’s dedication to transitioning to distributed energy systems using renewable sources, promoting economic growth, and ensuring energy security amidst global environmental challenges.

Negros Occidental, known for hosting Southeast Asia’s largest solar farm in Cadiz City, which produces 132.5 MW of power, is already a significant player in the solar energy sector.

The SecuRE Negros campaign leverages this foundation to advocate for broader adoption of renewable practices, aiming to make the province a model for sustainable energy practices globally.

“The road may be long, but it will be bright if we all work together to make our Province truly the Renewable Energy Capital of the Philippines,” Lacson remarked, highlighting the shared responsibility in achieving these sustainable goals.