Robinsons Starmills Pampanga Goes Green
Adopting business practices to reduce power, water, resource consumption, as well as minimizing adverse impact on the environment, such as pollution reduction and protecting natural resources, can help a business enhance its competitiveness and long term sustainability. Going green reduces operating costs, gains access and enhances resiliency.
On May 30, 2016, Robinsons Starmills Pampanga officially launched the world’s largest solar rooftop installation in a mall consisting of 10,880 solar panels and covering 1.75 hectares of roof space. The solar array at Robinsons Starmills will harness more than 2.88 megawatts of power during peak hours, offsetting up to 95% of daytime demand of the mall.
The system is expected to generate almost four million kilowatt- hours (kWh) of energy during its first full year of operation and also cut annual carbon emissions equivalent to 2.25 million kg of CO2. This is comparable to planting 100,000 trees or removing 5.5 million miles worth of CO2 emissions generated by air.
The official switch on was headed by City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago, Pampanga Governor Lilia G. Pineda, Department of Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada and other local officials with Mr. Frederick Go, President of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) and other executives.
Robinsons Starmills Pampanga developed its own power to cushion the mall from fluctuating prices, at the same time, to enhance business resiliency in time when external sources are cut-off, such as after extreme weather events when utilities are often adversely affected. Mr. Go was also inspired with the city’s advocacy of progressive development without sacrificing the environment as espoused by Mayor Santiago.
During the grand launch, the City Government of San Fernando and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Pampanga awarded a certificate of appreciation to Robinsons Starmills for their participation in the Green Economic Development Program (ProGED).
The solar powered facility is the first of its kind in the City of San Fernando with an estimated investment amounting to Php180,000,000.00.
