FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Office (FMO) Director Michael Canlas said that the Ateneo is ready for the anticipated power shortage over the summer.

On July 21, 2014, Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla announced impending power outages that will affect Luzon.

The power shortage is caused by a projected rise in electricity demand during the summer of 2015, which will overtake existing supply and reserves.

Canlas said that the FMO, which manages and maintains the physical fixed assets of the university, is spearheading the installation of generator systems in anticipation of the electricity crisis.

“We’re in talks with the academic units… and [we’re] recommending that they have to start investing in generator sets, especially in critical areas,” he said.

Canlas identified the Ateneo High School, the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center and the Science Education Complex as critical areas due to their large rates of electricity consumption.

According to FMO Facilities and Projects Manager Ronald Navarrete, the generator sets will serve as a precautionary measure in the event that the Ateneo is forced to undergo mandatory shedding.

Mandatory shedding is when an establishment is forced to cut down on its power demand if it exceeds the electricity consumption limit imposed by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).

Canlas said that they are also considering renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, in providing electricity for the campus.

The FMO has submitted a proposal to the Office of the Vice President of Administration to install solar panels in the campus and is awaiting approval. Once approved, the FMO plans to launch a pilot project in the Xavier and Faber Halls, and the Rizal Library.

Canlas said that the success of the project would entail the expansion of solar energy to the whole of the Ateneo campus.

Currently, the Ateneo relies on energy provided by Meralco from three power grids in the barangays of Barangka, Matandang Balara and Loyola Heights.

According to Canlas, even with the introduction of solar power, the Ateneo will remain dependent on external electricity from Meralco since solar panels can only supply 20-50% of a building’s total energy.

“If you ask us whether we are ready, we are prepared. I think with all these [energy conservation] measures, we can make it,” said Canlas.

Energy crisis

To address the electricity crisis, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III issued a joint resolution last September requesting the Congress to grant him emergency powers.

On November 18, 2014, the House of Representatives Committee on Energy approved the request authorizing Aquino to establish additional generating capacity as stated in the Section 71 of the Republic Act No. 9136.

The law, also known as Electric Power Industry Reform Act, is intended to decrease electricity rates and to improve the power supply delivery to the end-users.

Aside from this, the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) is implemented in order to lessen the energy demand during peak hours from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

In the ILP, partner establishments are requested to disconnect from the power grid and run their power using generator systems either from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM or 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

According to Canlas, the Ateneo is not ready to voluntarily participate in the program primarily because they do not want to interrupt ongoing classes with electricity fluctuation brought by switching from generators to normal power systems.

Prevention

Instead of participating directly in the ILP, Canlas said that FMO efforts will take on a preventive character, contributing to the national effort in inhibiting crises like these from happening again.

“We knew that one day, scarcity of this [gravity] would happen, as would happen anywhere, because of the rise in demand, and so we have to do our part on our level,” he said.

He further said that the Ateneo is in a special position to direct the energy sector in developing sustainable sources of energy.

According to Canlas, the Energy Regulatory Commission classifies the Ateneo as a “contestable customer,” which allows the university to negotiate directly with energy suppliers for its energy requirement.

He said that because of this, the Ateneo is able to patronize suppliers of renewable electricity, such as geothermal and hydroelectric energy.

“We [cut] expenses, and at the same time, we save the Earth,” he said.

In line with this, University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ expressed a desire to be able to use the Ateneo in influencing national energy policy.

He said he is willing to organize an “energy economics and environment think tank.”

“I, for one, think that we need to develop expertise in energy and transport the two big spenders and emitters of carbon that threaten to destabilize global climate,” said Villarin.

Navarrete said that the implementation of sustainable projects, such as the installation of solar panels in the Ateneo, will help in the reducing the strain on the national power supply.

“By utilizing these alternative sources, the Ateneo will contribute to a more efficient and sustainable system,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Moreover, Canlas said that the student body will also have to do their part in the reduction of electricity consumption in the Ateneo.

“We sometimes have that attitude that ‘kaya naman bayaran iyan eh (it can be paid for anyway),’ and we have to stop that sort of mindset,” he said.