Maynilad hikes renewable energy use

MANILA, Philippines — West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. expanded the use of renewable energy (RE) in its operations by 15 percent after it tapped a unit of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to provide power supply to its facilities.

Maynilad said it partnered with MPower, Meralco’s local retail electricity supplier, for the supply of RE from solar and biomass sources of its nine facilities.

The facilities involve the water utility firm’s water treatments plants at La Mesa Compound in Quezon City and at Brgy. Putatan in Muntinlupa as well as its pumping stations in Pasay, Las Piñas, Quezon City and Parañaque.

“At Maynilad, we are committed to sustainable practices and reducing our carbon footprint. Increasing our use of renewable energy by 15 percent is a significant step toward our goal of carbon neutrality by 2037,” Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said yesterday.

“This initiative reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship and our responsibility to future generations,” Fernandez added.

The share of RE in the power supply of the company’s operations last year was less than one percent.

With the shift to 15 percent clean energy, Maynilad expects to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 18,000 metric tons per year, equivalent to 4,284 gas-fueled cars off the roads.

The company vowed to continue reducing its carbon emissions in the next five years, as it is set to expand RE use to more of its facilities.

Maynilad said it targets to further increase its utilization of green power by 30 percent next year and 40 percent by 2027.