The Makati City government has begun the first phase of its renewable energy transition, with 11 major city-owned facilities now operating on 100 percent renewable energy as part of its goal to shift government operations to cleaner power sources.

During a switching ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday, Mayor Nancy Binay said the city has already achieved 60.92 percent of its clean energy target for the year through a Renewable Energy Supply Contract with ACEN Corp.

The facilities covered under the program are among the city's largest power consumers, with a combined average monthly peak demand of 5.76 megawatts.

Leading the list is the New Makati City Hall, which accounts for 2.09 MW of demand, followed by the University of Makati at 1.33 MW and the Makati Coliseum at 0.46 MW. Other facilities include Ospital ng Makati, Makati City Hall Building 2, the Old City Hall Building, Nemesio I. Yabut Elementary School, Makati High School, and Pio del Pilar Elementary School.

“Today is much more than a ceremonial switching of power. It is a declaration of the kind of city we want Makati to become,” Binay said during the event.

She added that the transition to renewable energy is a long-term investment that is expected to lower emissions and generate savings that can be redirected to public services.

To support transparency, the city and ACEN launched a Renewable Energy Leaderboard, a public dashboard that tracks electricity consumption and carbon emissions avoided by the participating facilities in real time.

The dashboard, available in English and Filipino, will be displayed in public spaces including Makati City Hall and will translate emissions data into equivalent measures such as trees needed to offset carbon emissions and the estimated carbon footprint of an average individual.

The ceremony was attended by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Saturnino Juan, ACEN officials, representatives from the Ayala Group and Meralco, as well as local government officials.

In March, the Energy Regulatory Commission recognized Makati as the first local government unit in the country to champion 100 percent renewable energy utilization under the Retail Competition and Open Access and Retail Aggregation Program.

The city said additional facilities are expected to join the renewable energy program in the coming months as Makati continues efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and improve operational efficiency.