QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --The Department of Energhy (DOE) reported that a total of 62.69 megawatts (MW) were saved for the entire country during the one-hour switch-off, with the largest savings of 33.29 MW from Luzon, followed by 20.5 MW from Mindanao, and 8.9 MW from Visayas. 

Last Saturday, in observance of the Earth Hour, the DOE has  invited the public to be in solidarity with the rest of the world from the comfort and safety of their homes by switching off their non-essential lights.  

According to the Energy department, the electricity demand reduction for that period alone is a testament that collectively, we could generate a great impact on our daily energy consumption. 

“This also illustrates how purposeful behavior could achieve something big and worthy. Imagine when individuals, businesses, government, and communities unite not only during Earth Hour but in making energy conservation their everyday way of life, the overall impact would be even much bigger,” Energy Secretary Raphael Petilla.  

“Let us help sustain the momentum by simply consistently practicing energy conservation measures at home, offices, communities, and businesses from switching off non-essential lights to choosing more energy efficient appliances, equipment and machines. These are simple yet valuable actions that we can do easily not only for our planet but more especially during periods of high demand such as this summer season,” the Secretary said. 

The Earth Hour is an annual symbolic lights-out event that started in Sydney in 2007 to work together on the planet’s biggest environmental challenges. It has grown to be the largest grassroots movements to reach more people around the world to work together and focus on climate and climate biodiversity actions. (DOE/PIA-NCR)