Bid to make first solar-powered bridge in country pushed
THE Mactan Electric Company Inc. (Meco) is proposing to make the old Mandaue-Mactan bridge the first solar energy-powered bridge in the country.
During yesterday’s Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) meeting, Meco officials presented their P30-million solar project proposal, which would be at no cost to the provincial government.
Jacinta Rusiana, administrative supervisor of Meco’s regulatory compliance office, said that under their proposed Solar Power Bridge Program, 960 solar panels would be placed on top of the bridge’s steel trusses while lights on the bridge would also be replaced with LEDs (light emitting diodes), which would be powered by the solar panels.
Project’s benefits
“The additional benefit that this project will bring to the public and to the provincial government is not only on the savings on the electric bill and environmental preservation, but (also) on day-to-day living since the bridge is covered by solar panels. These can shade the passersby, giving pedestrians and motorists a cooler experience in crossing the first Mactan-Mandaue Bridge,” she said.
During power outages, she said the electric supply on the bridge’s lights would not be affected.
Solar energy’s use, augmentation
Rusiana said that on days when there would not be enough solar power to be harvested by the panels, Meco would augment the solar panels supply of electricity.
She also said that if there would be excess power produced by the solar panels, then these would flow to the distribution system of Meco, which would be used by its consumers.
The proposed solar panels for the bridge will have an estimated capacity of 240 kilowatts and will be expected to be completed in five months once the project is approved.
Rusiana explained that the project was conceptualized during a meeting by Meco and representatives of the provincial government in December last year where they discussed possible ways to cooperate on sustainable programs.
Meco will fund the project and will undertake the installation operation and maintenance of the system and its equipment.
Concerns raised
But Nigel Paul Villarete, Mactan Cebu International Airport manager, said during the bridge board meeting that Meco should first get approval from the DPWH, who is the owner of the bridge, before the bridge board would act on the proposal.
Villarete also asked if the system to be installed would have an impact on the structural integrity of the bridge since the equipment to be installed would weigh 14,500 kilos according to Meco.
Rusiana said they would present their proposal to the DPWH.
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