Quezon City — The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and the National Food Authority (NFA) strengthened their commitment to renewable energy on October 10, 2024, by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the NFA Central Office in Quezon City. PNOC President and CEO Oliver B. Butalid and NFA Acting Administrator Larry R. Lacson formalized the partnership, which aims to enhance energy efficiency in government buildings through the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
This collaboration is part of PNOC’s Rooftop Solar PV System for Government Buildings (RGB) project, designed to reduce electricity costs while promoting the adoption of sustainable energy in public institutions. Under the agreement, an initial 100-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar PV system will be installed on the rooftop of the NFA Central Office. The bidding process for this installation is set to begin this year, with the installation scheduled for 2025. The solar panels are expected to significantly reduce the building’s energy consumption, supporting the government’s environmental goals. Tv
Beyond this initial phase, the partnership extends to a larger vision for NFA’s nationwide infrastructure. A second MOA was also signed, covering a future project to install at least a 5-megawatt (MW) solar PV system, which will be aggregated from various NFA Offices and Warehouses, to be identified and subject to the technical and financial viability of the installations. This larger system will further contribute to the agency’s energy efficiency and sustainability efforts in the coming years.
Ownership of the 100-kWp solar system will remain with PNOC for the first 15 years, after which it will be transferred to NFA at no cost, in line with government regulations. This arrangement enables NFA to benefit from clean energy without incurring substantial upfront expenses, reflecting the financial prudence and sustainability commitments of both organizations.
“This partnership reinforces our goal of driving renewable energy adoption in public institutions, serving as a model for other government offices to follow in their pursuit of sustainable practices,” said PNOC President Butalid.
NFA Acting Administrator Lacson highlighted the long-term impact of the collaboration, noting that the solar project will enhance NFA’s operational efficiency while significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
The initiative aligns with PNOC’s broader mission to champion renewable energy and support the government’s energy efficiency goals. By setting a positive example for other government agencies, this partnership is expected to pave the way for more cost-effective and environmentally friendly practices across the public sector.