The Department of Energy said Thursday four public health facilities in Lanao del Sur will be equipped with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery storage to improve reliability and ensure uninterrupted medical services.
The installations are part of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Access to Climate Security and Health Services (RE3ACHS) project.
It said the initiative was led by the DOE Mindanao Field Office in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy and the Lanao del Sur provincial government.
Valued at P33 million, the project is scheduled for completion in 2026. It is funded through the Japan Supplementary Budget 2024 Climate Promise Global Initiative, supported by a $1.3-million grant from the Japanese government.
The project will install a combined 170-kilowatt-peak of solar capacity at Tamparan Provincial Hospital, the Provincial Infirmary in Marawi City, Wao District Hospital and Dr. Serapio B. Montañer Jr. Al-Haj Memorial Hospital.
DOE officials said the systems would reduce dependence on diesel generators and support more stable, lower-cost operations for critical functions like lighting, cooling, diagnostics and refrigeration units.
Feasibility studies indicate the project will avoid an estimated 8.67 ktCO2e in greenhouse gas emissions over a 20-year period.
Energy Undersecretary Mario Marasigan said hospitals require electricity 24 hours a day to run cooling systems and critical medical equipment.
He said integrating solar PV with battery storage strengthens energy security and ensures power during weather disruptions or emergencies.
The initiative follows a directive from Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin to assist Mindanao entities in adopting renewable energy technologies.
The project aims to improve energy performance and sustainability in underserved communities while reinforcing the region’s commitment to climate-resilient development.
