This picture shows the Quezon Memorial Shrine after the lights were turned off to mark the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Quezon city, suburban Manila on March 25, 2023.MANILA, Philippines — Electricity savings from last Saturday’s Earth Hour increased by 110.73 percent to 132.11 megawatts from last year’s savings of 62.69 MW, according to the Department of Energy .
Aside from households, government agencies, cities and private businesses pledged participation in the event. Following the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s recent declaration that the warm and dry season has begun, the DOE said the country’s power situation is currently being monitored to ensure energy security.
“The summer period exerts significant pressure on electricity demand due to increased cooling needs, leading to peak demand shifts in consumption and infrastructure strain,” Lotilla said in an earlier statement. “DOE ensures that any developments are immediately considered in the outlook to implement contingency measures,” the agency said.