Four key public health facilities in Lanao del Sur will be equipped with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery storage to improve reliability and help ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential and life-saving medical services, particularly during power interruptions and emergency situations.
The installations will be implemented under the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Access to Climate Security and Health Services (RE3ACHS) Project, led by the Department of Energy (DOE) through its Mindanao Field Office (DOE-MFO), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (BARMM-MENRE), and the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, with support from the Government of Japan.
Under RE3ACHS, a cumulative total of 170 kWp of rooftop solar PV capacity with battery storage will be installed in Tamparan Provincial Hospital in the Municipality of Tamparan, the Provincial Infirmary in Marawi City, Wao District Hospital in the Municipality of Wao, and Dr. Serapio B. Montañer Jr. Al-Haj Memorial Hospital in the Municipality of Malabang.
The solar PV and battery storage packages for each facility are as follows: Tamparan Provincial Hospital will have 40 kWp rooftop solar PV capacity with 140 kWh battery storage; the Provincial Infirmary in Marawi City will have 30 kWp solar PV and 60 kWh battery storage; Wao District Hospital will have 50 kWp solar PV with 100 kWh battery storage; and Dr. Serapio B. Montañer Jr. Al-Haj Memorial Hospital will have 50 kWp solar PV and 100 kWh battery storage.
By reducing dependence on diesel gensets, the installations are expected to support more stable and least cost operations for critical hospital functions such as lighting, cooling and ventilation systems, cold-chain and refrigeration units, diagnostics, and other essential equipment.
DOE Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan, in his keynote message during the Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan (LEECP) Training and Workshop recently in Park Inn by Radisson, Davao City, underscored the importance of reliable power in healthcare operations, particularly during weather disruptions and emergencies.
“Hospitals require electricity round the clock to run cooling systems, lighting, and critical medical equipment,” Marasigan said.
“By integrating solar PV systems with battery storage, we can reduce operating costs, strengthen energy security, and help ensure continuous power when it matters most.”
The initiative supports the directive of Secretary Sharon S. Garin for the DOE-MFO to assist government entities across Mindanao in installing and operationalizing rooftop solar PV systems and other renewable energy-based and energy-efficient technologies.
Through RE3ACHS, participating facilities are expected to demonstrate measurable improvements in energy performance and sustainability outcomes, reinforcing Mindanao’s commitment to renewable energy integration and climate-resilient development.
The solar PV installations for the four facilities are valued at approximately ₱33 million. The RE3ACHS Project forms part of the Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) 2024 Climate Promise Global Initiative, supported by a USD 1.3-million grant from the Government of Japan for the broader initiative.
