1.86 megawatts saved in Cebu after Earth Hour

CEBU, Philippines - City officials led the observance of Earth Hour in Cebu City last night with its partner establishment, SM City Cebu, turning off 50 percent of its electrical usage.

By 9 p.m., the Visayan Electric Company reported that the demand was lower by 2.76 megawatts. By 9:30 p.m., VECO said the demand lowered by 1.86 megawatts.

Last Saturday’s total demand was 291.05 megawatts.

Echoing the call of national government agencies, Mayor Michael Rama told the hundreds to took part in the activity to make energy observation a habit.

“If we will not do it now, when? If not us, then who?” he said.

The city has taken part in the annual worldwide event for the past seven years. This year’s global theme for Earth Hour was “Change Climate Change.”

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Councilors Nida Cabrera, Alvin Dizon, Nestor Archival, Sr. and Margarita Osmeña joined Rama at SM City Cebu.

Cabrera, in her speech, said energy conservation can be backed by other initiatives like other aspects like proper waste segregation and waste disposition.

At least 7 billion was estimated to have taken part in the event worldwide.

Last year, VECO’s franchise area saved 1.9 megawatts. Since Cebu took part in Earth Hour in 2009, it was in 2010 that VECO recorded the highest power saved with 13.2 megawatts.

Eleven megawatts was saved both in 2009 and 2013 while 6.9 megawatts was saved in 2011 and 2.9 megawatts in 2012.

Theresa Sederiosa, VECO’s corporate communications manager, said that for more sustainable result, power consumers should continue to advocate power conservation everyday and use energy-efficient appliances.

“Humana ta sa information campaign, so let’s not just make it an hour, but let’s make it a habit,” she said.

Sederiosa said switching off the lights in an hour of residential consumers may have an impact, but this can be magnified further if energy conservation becomes a habit.

As far as VECO is concerned, she explained: “It’s like economics – the higher the demand, the higher the price because the supply remains constant.” —JMO (FREEMAN)