PLDT, Inc. inked a deal with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Spectrum, Inc. for energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives.
“As we face daunting challenges on how to protect our environment, we believe that entering into partnerships with like-minded organizations such as Meralco, MServ, and Spectrum can help us contribute more significantly to the preservation of the planet and overall sustainable development,” PLDT and Smart Communications President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alfredo S. Panlilio was quoted to have said during the virtual signing.
PLDT tapped Meralco Energy, Inc., or MServ, its electromechanical arm, to conduct an energy efficiency audit on 139 facilities of PLDT to check their compliance with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act and to identify savings opportunities and operational efficiencies.
MServ will also install magnetic chillers in PLDT’s facilities, which are expected to help it save up to 40% of its operational expenses.
It will likewise conduct electric facility preventive maintenance for 74 PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. offices annually to “help avoid costly outages and improve the performance of equipment in these facilities.”
MServ will also conduct a full electrical reliability audit of ePLDT data centers and install indoor air quality solutions in PLDT offices.
“MServ is honored to be chosen as PLDT’s partner in its energy efficiency journey. This energy audit is the important first step in this journey and we hope to enable more sustainability projects in the coming years,” Meralco President and CEO Ronnie L. Aperocho said during the signing.
Meanwhile, generation company Spectrum will install solar panels with a total capacity of 483.9 kilowatt-peak in five PLDT sites in Visayas.
The solar panels will generate about 635,845 kilowatts per hour, which is equivalent to P2 million in electricity cost savings per year. The panels will also reduce PLDT’s carbon emissions by 453 metric tons, equivalent to 46,470 trees planted yearly.
Spectrum President and CEO Ferdinand O. Geluz said its partnership with PLDT “is a testament of Spectrum’s commitment to partner with the business sector and communities nationwide in providing an accessible clean energy solution that upholds our collective sustainable development agenda.”
PLDT shares closed unchanged at P1,640 apiece on Tuesday.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — B.A.D. Añago