Metro Cebu’s Power Demand Drops by 3.1MW During Earth Hour 2017

Power demand in Metro Cebu dropped by 3.1 megawatts (MW) during the celebration of Earth Hour 2017 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, a utility official said.

Quennie Sanchez Bronce, reputation enhancement manager of the Visayan Electric Company (Veco), said in a statement that the total demand drop during Earth Hour 2017 was higher compared to the 2.8MW recorded during Earth Hour 2016.

The Earth Hour is a global initiative to increase people’s awareness on climate change.

Metro Cebu recorded the highest demand drop in electricity during Earth Hour 2015 at 4.6MW.

Veco serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Naga and the municipalities of Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanillla and San Fernando.

The Earth Hour 2017 celebration in Cebu City, spearheaded by the Cebu City government, was held at Plaza Independencia near the city’s waterfront.

It started with a play from Pagtambayayong Foundation with University of San Carlos volunteers stressing the need to use renewable energy and to stop using coal fired power plants, which were not only harmful to the environment but also to the health of the people nearby.

The lights were switched off at exactly 8:30 p.m., followed by a fire dance presentation.

When the lights were switched on after an hour of darkness, at least 3,000 bikers rolled off a six-kilometer route that took them from Plaza Independencia to Barangays T. Padilla, Tejero and Carreta in Cebu City. (PNA)/EB/SSC