PLDT Inc. (PLDT) has fortified its move to help mitigate the effects of climate change with the completion of photovoltaic (PV) panel installation at its La Paz Office in Iloilo City. PLDT La Paz is one of the integrated telco’s main offices in Panay Island and houses a sales and service center, PLDT and Smart network offices, as well as Enterprise sales.
“The solar rooftop installation supports the integration of sustainable practices into our daily operations. As the only telcos who form part of the inaugural members of the government-led Stakeholders’ Chamber on the Sustainable Development Goals being supported by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), PLDT and Smart are committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Rhea Dienzo, Assistant Vice President and Sustainability Executive of PLDT and Smart Corporate Sustainability Office.
More than 140 PV panels were installed on the rooftop of PLDT’s office that will generate approximately 78,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar power equivalent to a reduction of around 56 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
Following the installation of a similar facility at PLDT’s Mandaue office in Cebu, the Iloilo site is the second location to be installed with solar power technology to augment energy drawn from the commercial grid.
“Our studies show that the grid-tied rooftop solar power installation could supply 6% of energy needed during daytime, reducing use of commercial power from coal-fired or diesel-fed power plants. This will help us cut operating expenses as solar energy costs are expected to be lower than commercial power,” explained Jeffrey Tanjutco, PLDT Facilities Management Center Head.
PLDT partnered with Spectrum, the renewable energy arm of the Meralco group, for this undertaking. Three more PLDT sites in the Visayas region are to be solarized: Cebu Jones, Roxas, and Bacolod offices. In total, about 20 sites nationwide are being considered for solar panel deployment as part of the PLDT group’s decarbonization roadmap.
“This project bolsters PLDT’s efforts in the global fight against climate change. Conscious of our impact on the environment, we are always on the lookout for sustainable practices that will help us further reduce our carbon footprint,” said Henrey Donguines, PLDT Property and Facilities Management Executive and Project Manager of the Solar Rooftop Project.
Sustainability is one of the key fulcrums identified by President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio forming part of PLDT’s vision and strategy. Under his leadership, the PLDT Group has developed a decarbonization plan which aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% by 2030.
These projects highlight PLDT’s efforts in helping the country achieve its commitment under the Paris Agreement and to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals particularly UN SDG 7 on affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
