The Butuan City government has unveiled the Butuan City Energy Development Plan (BEDP) 2023–2050 to support its goal of becoming a smart and sustainable eco-city in the Philippines. The roadmap outlines strategies to shift towards renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and meet growing power demand driven by the city’s rapid economic growth as a key hub in Northeastern Mindanao.
According to the city, 71 percent of electricity consumed in 2022 came from Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative Incorporation (ANECO), with the rest supplied to nearby municipalities. This energy use generated about 0.19 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in emissions. The BEDP highlights solar energy as the most viable renewable source, with a potential capacity of nearly 99 percent, alongside biomass and hydro resources. The plan also includes electrifying tricycles and public utility vehicles by 2050, with pilot testing already underway.
To cut consumption and costs, the plan recommends energy efficiency measures at government facilities such as LED lighting, inverter-based air-conditioning, occupancy sensors, and passive cooling designs. Initial upgrades at Butuan City Hall are projected to save PHP1.6 million annually. The BEDP, developed with support from the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the Government of Germany, WWF Philippines, the University of the Philippines, DOE, MinDA, NGCP, and other partners, will undergo continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure targets are met.