The National Food Authority (NFA) on Thursday inked a partnership with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to advance green and sustainable energy.

“The NFA goes green. Mag-i-install sila ng mga (They will install) solar panels to power the Central Office hanggang (of up to) 100 kilowatts (kW),” NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said, referring to the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems in its headquarters in Quezon City.

He said the signed memorandum of agreement (MOA) will help lower energy cost, which may be up to 10 percent lower than the prevailing utility prices.

Besides cheaper energy costs, Lacson said the solar power project will reduce NFA’s carbon emissions and safeguard the environment amid the effects of climate change.

The NFA also has zero expenditure on the program, considering the full investment of PNOC, he added.

To date, the PNOC is doing the bidding for the procurement of a 100-kW solar power system.

“We’re hoping na maumpisahan na iyan this year, madali lang naman nila atang gagawin iyon (that it could be started this year, perhaps it would be easy for them to install it),” Lacson said.

For other NFA sites, the PNOC will allot 5 megawatts or 5,000 kW of solar capacity, with Oriental and Occidental Mindoro included as the top priority.

The NFA has 45 office branches and around 288 warehouses nationwide. (PNA)