Archival eyes solar power to cut Cebu City’s electricity costs

Local

TO CUT the city’s ballooning electricity costs and promote renewable energy, Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr. is turning to the sun.

Archival, a known environmental advocate, is pushing for a solar-powered transition in government-owned buildings as part of his broader plan to reduce spending and modernize city infrastructure.

According to the Commission on Audit (COA), the Cebu City Government has been spending roughly P200 million annually on electricity. In 2023 alone, electricity expenses reached P289.49 million, equivalent to 4.17 percent of the city’s total income.

This sharp and sustained expense prompted Archival to champion the use of solar panels across city facilities as a key component of his administration’s fiscal and environmental reform agenda.

“Kay dinhi sa atong syudad, we're paying something like P250 million per year para sa elektrisidad,” Archival said.

From P205.3 million in 2018, Cebu City’s annual power expenses steadily climbed to P220.3 million in 2019, P214.7 million in 2020, P243 million in 2021, P271.1 million in 2022, and nearly P290 million in 2023.

While higher electricity rates may partly account for the increase, COA noted that the bulk of the rise may be attributed to “inefficient consumption and lack of strategic planning.”

In response, the Cebu City Council on June 4 approved Archival’s proposed ordinance mandating the use of solar energy in city operations.

The measure aims to cut the city’s electricity bill by 10 to 20 percent annually, while promoting sustainability and private sector engagement in infrastructure upgrades.

Under the ordinance, Archival explained that private contractors will install, operate, and maintain solar panel systems at no cost to the Cebu City Government.

The contractors will recover their investments through savings generated from reduced electricity consumption. Once they have recovered costs and earned a reasonable return, the savings will be turned over to the city.

“Now, kung ma-implement ni ang solar ordinance, there's no cost to the city—wala tay budget pangitaon,” Archival said.

He estimated that the City Hall’s executive department spends about P1 million per month on electricity, while the legislative department’s monthly bill stands at around P700,000. And transitioning to solar, he said, would significantly reduce these recurring expenses while allowing the city to shift to clean and renewable energy.

Archival added that the ordinance clearly states contractors will shoulder all costs related to the supply, installation, and maintenance of solar systems.

“Because on the ordinance gisulti—nga kung kinsa tong ganahan nga contractor magbutang ug solar, sila moy mobutang,” he said.

To ensure transparency and efficiency, the ordinance mandates the formation of a Technical Working Group (TWG), composed of department heads from the Office of the Building Official, City Budget Office, General Services Office, Property Division, City Planning and Development Office, and other offices designated by the mayor.

The TWG will review and evaluate contractor proposals, recommend necessary adjustments, monitor the implementation and performance of solar systems, and award contracts based on the shortest completion time and highest projected energy savings.(TGP)