Maritime university to maximize solar power

ILOILO CITY – To reduce the cost of its electric consumption by 50 percent, a maritime university here is maximizing the power of the sun.

“While many academic institutions are utilizing renewable energy such as solar power, JBLFMU is the first in Western Visayas region to use solar energy in this scale,” said John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ronald Raymond Lacson Sebastian.

JBLFMU entered an R8- million project agreement with Energy Renewables Asia Inc. (ERA Inc.)

“This project will lessen the elec- tric cooperative-dependent electricity consumption of the campus,” Sebastian said.

ERA Inc. representative Tomas Deeq said solar panels are being installed at JBLFMU - Molo Campus here.

The agreement stipulates that JBLFMU will pay a rate of R7.36 per kilowatt hour for 15 years, after which, the system shall be offered for free.

Sebastian said the use of solar power is one of the many programs JBLFMU is undertaking for regional environmental conservation.

JBLFMU also manages a marine protected area in the neighboring island province of Guimaras.