Luxury integrated casino resort City of Dreams Manila on Monday inaugurated a P76-million, 1.2-megawatt rooftop solar project at the topmost level of its parking building as part of a long-term sustainable program.
City of Dreams teamed up with the renewable energy provider subsidiary of Manila Electric Co., Spectrum and Global Professional Services Company GHD, on the solar project to reduce the environmental impact of operations.
“This venture is a significant step in our vision to be sustainable in our operations. Utilizing clean and renewable energy is only one of our numerous green initiatives and we hope that as we set the bar for sustainable operations, we also inspire positive change as we all take part in the growing movement towards a more sustainable future,” City of Dreams Manila senior vice president and chief operating officer Kevin Benning said.
Officials say the 1.2-MW solar project generates about 20 percent of City of Dreams’ total consumption of about 6 MW to 7 MW with a payback period of seven years.
The 3,120 solar panels have a guaranteed generation capacity of almost 2,000 megawatt-hours a year and will reduce the carbon emissions of the integrated resort by over 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Under its long-term “Sustainable Dreams” program, the luxury resort launched various sustainability initiatives, such as a vermi composting facility and greenhouse nursery; a coffee program with local farmers through Philippine Coffee Board Inc., recycling of used coffee capsules with Nespresso in cooperation with ABS-CBN Foundation, recycling of used batteries with the Bantay Baterya initiative, and Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Recovery project.
Spectrum president and Meralco first vice president and head of customer retail services and corporate communications Victor Genuino said City of Dreams would save about three percent of its monthly bill with the newly-completed solar installation.
“Meralco shares City of Dreams’ commitment to a sustainable future, and we are pleased that through our renewable subsidiary, Spectrum, we will be collaborating to safeguard our environment, reduce carbon footprint and make energy efficiency an integral part of their operations. As an enabler of technologies and intelligent power use, we Meralco invites and call on other stakeholders in the leisure and entertainment industry to follow the example of City of Dreams,” Genuino said.`