Tagum Water’s power saver
Energy efficient water management earns Tagum Water a Sustainable Energy Award from DoE.
Text size
Share
Daily TribuneEnergy efficient water management earns Tagum Water a Sustainable Energy Award from DoE.
Share
ARTIFICIAL recharge technology keeps aquifer water level high for less costly pumping.
illustration by Glen Tolo
When technology meets sustainability, transformative solutions emerge. This was exemplified by Tagum Water and ACEN, two companies making waves in their industries with award-winning energy initiatives that redefine environmental stewardship.
Tagum Water, a unit of Manila Water Philippines Ventures, and ACEN, the renewable energy arm of the Ayala Group, both earned top honors at the Department of Energy’s (DoE) 2024 Sustainable Energy Awards for their exemplary contributions to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Their achievements highlight how Filipino companies are leading efforts to mitigate environmental challenges while promoting economic growth.
Redefining water resource management
Tagum Water (TW) was awarded by the DoE under the Energy Management in Industries category for its groundbreaking adoption of advanced Artificial Recharge technology (ART).
TW’s ART is an innovative approach to water extraction. It primarily maintains optimal groundwater levels replenishing aquifers faster than they are drawn down.
Over-extraction of groundwater leads to declining water tables, requiring pumps to operate at higher pressures and consume more energy to lift water from deeper levels. ART ensures a stable or elevated water table, reducing the depth from which water needs to be extracted. Thus, pumps require less energy to lift water, directly cutting down energy consumption.
Since implementing ART in 2020, TW has significantly improved the utility company’s energy efficiency by cutting power consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
With ART, TW lowered its cost of water extraction from 0.49 kWh to 0.22 kWh per cubic meter, translating to an annual energy savings of 1.74 million kWh and also avoiding approximately 1,250 tons of CO emissions annually. TW’s cost avoidance of P23 million annually totaled P68.9 million over three years, demonstrating both environmental and financial benefits of ART.
This success reflects Manila Water’s commitment to sustainability, aligning with its goal of becoming a global leader in water and environmental services.
Harnessing wind for community empowerment
ACEN’s North Luzon Renewables (NLR) wind project in Ilocos Norte earned the DoE Sustainable Energy Award under the Renewable Energy (RE) Projects in On-Grid Areas category. Generating 205,000 megawatthour of clean energy annually, the 81 MW project powers 50,000 homes while preventing 144,000 metric tons of carbon emissions each year.
Beyond its environmental impact, NLR has fostered social progress through its Conservation Estate, a 700-hectare ecosystem that promotes biodiversity, reforestation and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
“This milestone reflects our vision of a renewable energy-powered future and our commitment to creating long-term value for both the environment and host communities,” ACEN president and CEO Eric Francia said.
The accolades for Tagum Water and ACEN underscore the Philippines’ increasing focus on sustainable development.
Both companies exemplify how private sector innovation can drive transformative change, setting the stage for a more resilient, energy-efficient future. As these initiatives gain recognition on both national and regional platforms, they inspire further collaboration and innovation in the transition to a cleaner, greener energy landscape
